EGEB: ‘Public Energy Enemy No. 1,’ California hydro concerns, UK’s largest solar carport, and more

In today’s EGEB:

• The Environmental Working Group names Duke Energy “Public Energy Enemy No. 1.”
• California hydropower bill draws criticism from clean energy advocates.
• Bentley Motors installs the largest solar carport in the UK.
• Chattanooga solar farm will help to power a wastewater treatment plant.

Electrek Green Energy Brief: A daily technical, financial, and political review/analysis of important green energy news.

A new report from the Environmental Working Group takes a deep dive into America’s largest electric utility, Duke Energy, and concludes that “considering its size, environmental record, puny investments in solar and wind power, and schemes to penalize customers who want to join the renewable energy revolution, Duke is public energy enemy No. 1.”

EWG’s report finds the utility looking to slow the growth of renewables, as Duke prefers fracked natural gas as a way to reduce reliance on coal. The EWG concludes Duke’s mix of coal, gas, and nuclear is “unhealthy and unsafe.” The group notes,

Duke Energy is also fighting a decision that would have the company excavate coal ash from its power plant sites. The utility said the process could cost $7-10 billion, and customers look to be stuck with some of the bill.

Hydro Debate

As California looks for ways to reach its goal of 100% carbon-free electricity by 2045, state legislators are considering a bill that would count hydropower projects toward the state’s renewable energy goals — something California doesn’t do at the moment.

The Los Angeles Times reports on SB 386, which would include existing hydropower plants in that definition. The debate comes from differing goals set by the state — the end goal of 100% clean energy by 2045 would include hydropower, but an earlier target of 60% renewables by 2030 does not include large hydroelectric dams.

Advocates are concerned that allowing hydro to enter the renewables mix earlier will dissuade the construction of solar and wind projects, and allow for gas and coal to have a stronger foothold in the state’s energy mix in the near future. More than 40 environmental groups wrote a letter in strong opposition to the bill.

Bentley Carport

Bentley Motors has announced its installation of what it claims is the largest solar carport in the UK. The carport, located at the carmaker’s Crewe factory, has a 2.7 MW capacity. Bentley’s on-site electricity is now 100% clean, either through solar panel production or through certified green energy purchases.

The carport, pictured above the headline of today’s EGEB, uses 10,000 solar panels to cover 1,378 parking spaces. It takes up an area of 16,426 square meters (176,808 square feet).

Solar For Water

Chattanooga, Tennessee will build a new 10-acre solar farm that’s meant to partially power the city’s Moccasin Bend Wastewater Treatment plant, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reports.

The 3 MW solar farm will include about 10,000 panels. It’s estimated to cost up to $5.25 million, but it should save $200,000 a year. Despite these figures, the array will only supply about 8% of the plant’s total power. Public Works Director Justin Holland said,

“I don’t think savings are the only thing we consider. It’s a sustainable, renewable energy, so it’s a practical way for us to power a large portion of the treatment plant with a renewable energy source. The return on investment is a consideration, and we feel that between the return on the investment and the environmental benefits, it’s a really solid project.”