Achieving 100% Renewable and Self-Sufficient Electricity in Impoverished, Rural, Northern Climates: Case Studies from Upper Michigan, USA

Abstract

The development of 100% renewable electricity (RE) systems play a pivotal role in ensuring climate stability. Many municipalities blessed with wealth, an educated and progressive citizenry, and large RE resources, have already reached 100% RE generation. Impoverished municipalities in unwelcoming environments both politically and climatically (e.g., northern latitudes with long, dark winter conditions) appear to be incapable of transitioning to renewables. This study challenges that widespread assumption by conducting a detailed technical and economic analysis for three representative municipalities in the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Each municipality is simulated with their own hourly electricity demand and climate profiles using an electrical supply system based on local wind, solar, hydropower, and battery storage. Sensitivities are run on all economic and technical variables. Results show that transition to 100% RE is technically feasible and economically viable. In all baseline scenarios, the 100% RE systems produced a levelized cost of electricity up to 43% less than the centralized utility rates, which are predominantly fueled by gas and coal. Current policies, however, prevent such self-sufficient systems from being deployed, which are not only detrimental to the global environment, but also aggravate the economic depression of such regions. Potential energy savings advance the prohibitive energy justice principle.

A Nexus-Based Impact Assessment of Rapid Transitions of the Power Sector: The Case of Greece

“…The analysis further indicates a potential reduction in the short-and medium-term power generation costs resulting from the rapid decarbonization of the power sector. This development is primarily ascribed to the decreased fossil fuel utilization in power generation, which presents highly variable operational costs, as has also been reported in the literature (e.g., [31,61]). Nonetheless, a prevailing body of literature (e.g., [8,62]) suggests the opposite trajectory, mainly because of the substantial capital investments needed for acquiring renewable technologies.…”

“…It is important to note that this study does not examine the technical feasibility of achieving 100% renewable power generation by 2035 in depth [31]. Technical feasibility considerations encompass factors like electricity network bottlenecks and delays in legal permitting processes.…”

“…Accounting for the interlinked dynamics of renewable power generation with resource systems is of utmost importance when assessing power system decarbonization pathways, especially under rapid transitions. A significant body of literature has delved into this field [22,[29][30][31], providing critical information to power system decision-makers regarding the implications of power system transformation pathways on resource systems. These studies highlight the limitations of cost optimization models for assessing clean energy transitions alone [32].…”