Alternative Energies in The

U.S.:Investment Potential in the near Future

Table of Contents

Page Title: Page Number:

U.S. Profile 3

Alternative Energy Sources 16

Biomass Energy 18

Geothermal Energy 28

Hydroelectric Energy 39

Solar Energy 50

Wind Energy 60

Government Energy Management 75

Top Five States Using Renewable Energy

81

Page Title: Page Number:

Top Five States: States Vs. EPA 99

Energy Companies in Each Sector 114

Biomass Energy 117

Geothermal Energy 129

Hydroelectric Energy 141

Solar Energy 151

Wind Energy 159

Investment Outlook 168

Work Cited 178

Alternative Energy Sources:The top 5 renewable energy sources used in the United States.

Five Types of Renewable Energy:

Wind Power Solar Power

Biomass Geothermal Energy

Hydroelectric Power

Compiled By author from myenergygateway.org

Biomass Energy:Six Types-

Direct Burning for Domestic

Heat

Electric Generation

Co-generation

Gastrification

Anaerobic Digestion Biofuels

Compiled By author from TriplePundit.com

Biomass Energy: Top 10 Trends-

Prevents waste build up Diverts 30 million tons of organic wasteMakes up 4 percent of power generation capacityClean energy Reduces carbon dioxideIts carbon neutralDoes not threaten forestUses waste byproducts Most of it is used in the residential sector In the future incentives will increase demandCompiled by author from Sources reenergyholdings.com and reunters.com

Biomass Energy: Market Outlook-

The market suffered during the economic downturn

2010 saw more movement as co-firing coal plants began to rise

Biomass Energy: Market Outlook-

In 2011, the market value for electricity generated was over $45 billion

Biomass has increased with the employment of tax credits and legislation

Geothermal Energy:Facts-

U.S. FACT:

California has more than 40 geothermal power stations producing five percent of the state’s needs

World FACT:

Philippines, Iceland, El Salvador are generating more than 25% of their electricity needs through geothermal plants

Geothermal Energy:Top 10 Trends-

Marginal growth and smaller projectsMore education on explorationMarketing is a challenge that they will be facingThere will be an increase in public engagementMore region events to show what geothermic energy can doIndustry associations will help promote the industryMore activity by larger companiesThere will be in increase in supply priceNo big financing deals for the industryLarger interest in direct use projects

Compiled By author from source thinkgeoenergy.com

Geothermal Energy: Market Outlook-

In 2013, investments and emerging technology continue to increase geothermal output

Low-temperature electricity generation units have gained popularity and account for a large portion of the overall geothermal market

Eight States Operating Large-scale Geothermal Plants:

Alaska

California

Hawaii

Idaho

Nevada

New Mexico

Oregon

Utah

Compiled By author from EIA.gov

Hydroelectric Energy:Facts-

Hydroelectric provides 20% of the world’s energy needs

It is an environmentally friendly energy alternative

Resources are not depleted

Hydroelectric Energy-Top 10 Trends-

Growth still occurringInstalled capacity had a net increase of 1.48 GWUpgrades and modernizing is constantly happeningPost licensing is taking longer Project size is normally smallProjects in FERC amount to 331 or 4.37GWNew projects need to operate in such a way so not to harm the damIncentives have supported new projectsEach state defines eligibility a certain wayOperational mode of fleet is flexible

Compiled by Author from source energy.gov

Hydroelectric Energy:Market Overview-

Represents 8% of the nation’s capacity   Wind is slowly growing in Texas and Iowa

Constructing new facilities is limited since most suitable sites have already been exploited

Solar Energy:Facts-

The are two main solar systems:

Panels: Used to collect heat, for hot water, space heating and air conditioning

Collectors: Focuses on an intense beam on a vessel or pipe containing fluid

Solar Energy:Top 10 Trends-

Record PV installationsApproaching Price Parity Installations of Solar battery systemsNew financing models advanceCommunity Solar energy systemSolar tariffs are here to stayCalifornia in 2015 will become global leader in solar power penetrationVery costlyAll though it is clean and sustainable, building solar panels isn’t Continue to grow in a vertical fashion Compiled by author from sources greenbiz.com and ihs.com

Solar Energy: Prices-

Compiled By author from SEIA.org

Solar Energy: Growth Expected Through

2016- About 20,000 MW of solar capacity is

estimated to come online over the next two years

More than 16 states expected to top the 100 MW mark by 2016

The upcoming expiration of the reduction of the Investment Tax Credit is expected to

lead to a 57% decline of installed solar capacity in 2017

Compiled By author from Seia.org

Wind Energy:Facts-

Wind power contributed 4.5% of U.S. electricity demand in 2013 and was used in 39 states

The U.S. can produce more than 10 times its energy needs using wind power

Wind Energy:Top 10 Trends-

Wind Jobs are increasingWind installations are moving upWind benefits every stateCost are going down Wind is a top source of new GEnerationWind is a top source of new GEnerationCorporations want windCarbon and water savings greater than previously thoughtNew transmission opens new areas for developmentNew Wind records show its ReliabilityU.S Leads World in Wind Compiled By author from source aweablog.org

Utility-scale wind deployment through 2013

Wind Energy: Market Overview-

Compiled By author from Energy.gov

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