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Learn MoreLaw 270.7 - Renewable Energy & Alternative Fuels - Fall 2008
137 students
Course content
1 section • 13 lectures • 21h 30m total length
- Introduction to Renewable Energy Options1:15:14The basic concepts underlying the economic regulation of energy. In addition, discussion, of three federal acts that form reference points for our national conversation about renewable energy.
- Federal Renewable Energy Programs1:34:47This course introduces students to the legal, economic, and structural issues that both shape our energy practices and provide opportunities to overcome these critical problems.
- State Programs and Regional1:40:42Integrated Resource Planning, Renewable Portfolio Standards, Net Metering and Renewable Energy Credits - September 3, 2008 A look at the state laws and federal debate about requiring energy service providers to maintain a specified mix of renewable resources. In addition, an effort to create tradeable renewable energy credits raises many strategic choices and some Commerce Clause concerns.
- State Programs & an Introduction to Local Government Programs1:45:46State Programs: Integrated Resource Planning, Renewable Portfolio Standards, Net Metering and Renewable Energy Credits (Continued) & an Introduction to Local Government Programs: Municipal Utilities, Coops, and Community Aggregators - September 10, 2008A look at the state laws about requiring energy service providers to maintain a specified mix of renewable resources. In addition, an effort to create tradable renewable energy credits raises many strategic choices and some Commerce Clause concerns; The special opportunity that user-owned energy providers have to promote renewable energy, and other local programs to programs to promote renewable energy
- Distributed Generation1:38:14September 17, 2008. The role of state and federal regulators, the effect on utility planning and grid management, and net metering laws.
- Transmission and Deregulation1:39:05September 24, 2008. Transmission Challenges -- Central station renewable energy sources, such as wind and thermal, are most promising and easiest to develop in remote places. Ensuring that there is sufficient electric transmission capacity to deliver this power to market and deciding who should pay for the transmission lines are major challenge now facing many state and federal regulators. Deregulation and Its Role in Promoting Renewable Energy -- Wholesale competition drives energy service providers to purchase the lowest-cost option, which will not always be renewable. This requires government to impose standards on the energy service providers to encourage renewable power development. Retail competition has been held out as a great way to promote renewable power, since many customers may choose a renewable option, even if it costs a little more. We will consider the pros and cons of retail competition, and assess its promise to advance renewable power.
- Technology-Specific Issues and Opportunities: Wind1:40:18October 8, 2008. A look at the resources available in the U.S., efforts to mine those resources up until now, siting issues, environmental challenges, transmission needs, and technological advances.
- Technology-Specific Issues and Opportunities: Geothermal1:40:00October 15, 2008. This resource is not evenly distributed across the country. However, where it is available, it provides an attractive alternative to conventional, baseload power plants.
- Technology-Specific Issues and Opportunities: Distributed Solar1:38:58October 22, 2008. Efforts to promote solar water heating, photovoltaic electric generation, passive solar design. Discussion of light easements, building standards, and house value reassessments.
- Technology-Specific Issues and Opportunities1:33:20Solar Thermal and Passive Solar - October 29, 2008. Review of the various central-station solar technologies, as well as their pluses and minuses; Consideration of opportunities to incorporate building design features that take advantage of natural, non-mechanical heating and cooling qualities.
- Biomass & Biofuels, and Landfill Gas2:09:43Pollution Control Laws and Renewable Energy - November 5, 2008. A look at current practice and potential related to biomass use for powerplants, and the evolving effort to develop viable biofuels for transportation. Addressing the energy payback and carbon neutrality of biomass and biofuels; Indirect effect of water pollution and waste management laws on the development of renewable energy.
- Waves, Tides, & Ocean Thermal1:38:09November 10, 2008. The oceans that provide bookends for North America offer almost unlimited supplies of energy related to the movement of water. Many demonstration generating projects are on the way. These resources raise jurisdictional questions and logistical challenges.
- Small Hydro, Alternative Fossil Fuels, and Hydrogen1:35:56November 19, 2008. A discussion of issues related to small hydro development; There is a tremendous amount of oil trapped in Canadian tar sands and U.S. oil shale. There have also been repeated efforts to promote the development of a market for synthetic gas, derived from coal. For all three, economic, environmental, land-use, and energy payback issues dominate the concerns. State and federal law play a key role, as well; Many leaders talk about a hydrogen future one in which hydrogen fuel cells provide pollution-free electric power. Hydrogen must be derived, rather than simply harvested. Its production is energy intensive and its broad distribution would require a massive pipeline and storage tank infrastructure. We will talk about where the technology stands and how government is trying to help it to advance.
Description
This course introduces students to the legal, economic, and structural issues that both shape our energy practices and provide opportunities to overcome these critical problems. The course focuses primarily on the regulation and design of electricity systems and markets, since so many energy choices—the use of oil, natural gas, coal, nuclear, the green alternatives such as solar, wind, and energy conservation or demand side management— relate to the way we generate or deliver electricity, or avoid the need to do so.