It seems that more and more lately, people or businesses are using the term “100% renewable”. Because they wear clothes shipped in by truck, drive cars fueled by gasoline, wear eye glasses made in factories, I am “assuming” they are talking about the energy used to power their homes and businesses.
Then, I scratch my head because I know they are connected to the electrical grid. For Cherryland members making such a claim, a quick walk to the billing department verifies that they indeed do pay a monthly electric bill.
How then can they make this 100% claim? Well, they will tell you that their solar array, wind generator and/or renewable credits purchased from some distant project generate enough electricity over a 12 month period to cancel out any energy they take off the electrical grid.
While this might be true (I remain skeptical because I have no real proof), I take a more purist view of 100%. In my mind, if you are 100% renewable, you are disconnected from the grid. You are one of the hardy souls that have made the personal sacrifice to use only what you can produce on site. My hat goes off to these people who truly are “walking the talk”.
On the other hand, when a person or entity claims to be 100% renewable while remaining connected to the grid, I find this a bit misleading. This may not be Brian Williams misleading but nonetheless, certainly not entirely accurate.
They are using the grid and central station power to operate their home or business when the sun doesn’t shine or the wind doesn’t blow. In reality, I am “okay” with being “used” in such a manner until they bash on coal, natural gas or nuclear generation. If traditional forms of generation are so bad, why not add a few more wind towers or solar panels and completely disconnect from the grid?
Well, you know why they don’t do this? Granted this is just my stuck in my ways utility guy opinion but I believe it is because they simply can’t. The price of battery storage is too high and the stand-alone reliability of 24/7/365 electricity from renewable sources like wind and solar is far from 100%. They need the traditional utility model to keep them in power when the renewable sources can’t do it.
Ultimately, this is all good and fine. The traditional utility model and renewables can co-exist. I believe we have proven this at Cherryland Electric Cooperative. Our portfolio will be more than 20% renewable in the next couple years while our rates have become lower than our biggest area competitor.
I simply see the 100% claim as unwillingness from some to admit that they need their reliable, stable utility. I don’t need anybody to say they like my product or even need it (I know they do!) but I would like to see them be 100% honest about their use of renewable energy.
Thank you for all you do and your honesty
This article is 100% accurate. I also grow a bit exasperated of the self righteous posturing of the “100% renewable” crowd’s claims and proposals. When those proposals are examined with even a casual eye, they are totally untenable.
What about the people that generate enough to put back into the grid? If they’re not storing it because batteries are too expensive, does the amount they kick back in count toward anything in your opinion? In regards to the batteries it sounds like Elon Musk has something coming out soon that mighty help there as well.
The amount they kick back has to count as clean energy on the grid. It just isn’t totally transparent when they kick it out and count the energy later for their personal claim of 100%. I simply want them to recognize that the grid gives them a place to put the excess energy that is much cheaper than batteries at the present time. Today, renewables and the grid are working together. This story is not being told by those using the grid for “storage”.
Battery technology is developing and it will be interesting to see how soon it becomes affordable for the average home owner.
Tony
You do realize that some of these people who are purchasing “100% renewable” are being sold a false bill of goods by legitimate companies. I have been able to see through the lies told by some of these companies that will offset your electrical use but some have not. I feel you could have made your point in a more polite and less condescending way. Your point is correct and everyone should know these facts.
I do realize that some people are being sold a false bill of goods. I did not intend to be condescending and apologize if you took it that way. I was simply trying to draw attention to these false claims. I do believe there are many people who may not have given them a second thought. Trying to inform as well as make people think. That is all.
Tony
It is really not a good PR move to employ such a mocking tone toward some of your customers.
Mr. Anderson, as usual, you absolutely did intend to be condescending. That is the only way that you address those, lesser than you and, in your mind, that is everyone who does not subscribe to your way of thinking. You talk about the bill of goods being sold by the alternative and renewable choice movement but your feathers get ruffled when ever anyone points out that you and your cronies in the heavy handed, corrupt, big energy companies try to sell your own bill of goods to those that strive to achieve complete freedom from your outdated energy model and from financing your next tropical vacation. The stronger the renewable choice movement gets, the more you show your irritation and aggravation shows. The stronger the renewable choice movement gets, the more your greed and condescending, self serving position becomes transparent. You no longer stand on unshakable ground and it shows every time you open your mouth. You no longer have the strangle hold on the public that you once had, and you are scrambling like a cockroach. You and the corrupt politicians that prop you up all know that your days are numbered. If you had any decency at all, you would take what you have grabbed and walk away, now.
We will have to agree to disagree on the tone. All should remember that the column in question was an opinion piece and I stand by it. I also stand by Cherryland’s record of participating in the first commercial wind farm in Michigan, constructing the first community solar project in Michigan and striving to soon have the lowest GHG emissions of any Michigan utility. In a couple short years, we will have a wholesale power portfolio that will be close to 20% renewable and less than 40% coal. All the while, our rates will be kept stable (no rate increase since 2011). We also returned over $4 million to cooperative members last year. I welcome the growing strength of the renewable movement and feel that I have played a part in making it stronger. I will not be walking away anytime soon. Thanks for providing your comments.
Tony
My wife was an Advocate for a family that just recently moved into their new Habitat For Humanity built home. This home is one of three completed and occupied out of six planned as part of the Depot Project, in Traverse City, Michigan, built to leading edge “Zero Net” specs, largely by volunteer and sweat equity efforts, to eliminate wasted energy on heating and cooling of a three bedroom, two bath, two story, stand alone, wood framed home with attached garage. Constructed of high quality thermal materials and design with a solar array on the roof and superior energy efficient mechanicals. The idea being that for just a few thousand dollars more in added construction costs and perhaps a slightly higher mortgage payment, they will have a miniscule draw on the Grid and may even be able to sell back to the local Utility any excess. At first when told about the design and construction merits, I would hear $25.00 annual Energy costs, I kept assuming they meant at least $250.00 for annual electric energy costs. We’ll see how that pans out after the first year and the ongoing years of wear and tear on the mechanicals and materials that make possible. This should be the goal and perhaps the mandate for new construction and major remodel of homes and commercial buildings. A goal, that I would expect our utility managers would investigate, incentivise and give full throated support. Recognizing that even just a few additional days of extreme or extended periods of hotter, colder, wetter or dryer weather would burden aging infrastructure, power production facilities and associated costs for pollution remediation and legal challenges. The time has come and even passed for defending old, tired and particularly dirty energy fueling and production. Ongoing development of new or growing communities and commercial expansion will demand more reliable, local supply, smarter distribution networks less dependent on favorable weather and political conditions, maintenance of energy delivery, costs will continue to rise for consumers, new homes and businesses and the utility, that the industry would encourage conservation, greener construction and utilization of more planet friendly production.
You have exposed your political leanings and preferred viewpoint of the world by mentioning Brian Williams without a fair and balanced mention of Bill O’Reilly’s fantasy reporting.
Thanks for the details on the Depot project. It certainly is something worth watching. I applaud the effort and look forward to seeing the actual results as we move forward. The building envelope is a place where everyone should make a bigger investment. The Depot project will make a nice showcase for what a few extra dollars up front can return over the life of a building.
For the record, I don’t watch Fox News and have never watched Bill O’Reilly. Mr. Williams just happened to be “in the news” when I wrote that column several weeks ago.
Again, thanks for commenting on the blog and bringing attention to an interesting project.
Tony
Tony,
You hit the nail smack-dab on the head! Excellent counterpoint to the problem.
It reminds me of a local politician who made the statement that there are many cars with bikes hanging from their trunks, but that most of them are there for show, and are rarely used. The world seems bent on trying to impress everyone around them, which leaves many of us scratching our heads, too.
Well done, Tony,
Max and Alfa
Tony, thanks for a great article and the excellent job that Cherryland Electric does on a daily basis. Mostly, I wish to commend you on treating some of the posters here with dignity and class, even when they don’t deserve it. I’m available to help disconnect Mr. Hopkins’ service when he’s willing to “walk his talk.”
Thank you for having the guts to report things like you see them from a standpoint that the rest of us can’t possibly have. In this world of politically correct, utopian, hypocritical responders that race to comment, but with little real science or actual proven technology to back them up, I’m sure you were prepared for the predictable comments from your detractors. You all collectively do a great job at Cherryland Electric. In fact I’m amazed at what you have accomplished considering the negative clamor that is always erupts from the folks that choose not to live in reality when a utility attempts to meet the needs of their customers. Keep up the great work and thanks again.