Turning useless land into renewable energy sources

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Here's a good question that doesn't typically come up in smart grid discussions: What can be done with those parcels of abandoned, contaminated or polluted land that used to be landfills or mining sites? You can't live there and agriculture is definitely out. EPA and DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have an answer – evaluate the suitability of sites around the country for wind, solar, biomass or geothermal renewable energy production.

As part of the RE-Powering America's Land Initiative, EPA is sinking about $1 million into revitalizing the sites (known as brownfields) while protecting public health and the environment – and providing jobs, an important consideration for local communities.

"These studies are the first step to transforming these sites from eyesores today to community assets tomorrow," said Mathy Stanislaus, EPA assistant administrator for Solid Waste and Emergency Response.

The evaluations will look at the most appropriate renewable energy technology for the sites, the best location for the technology on the sites, potential generating capacity, return on investment and the economic practicality of renewable energy projects.

The 26 designated sites are located in Vermont, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Georgia, Mississippi, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, New Mexico, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Montana, California, Arizona, Oregon and Washington.

This type of project has worked in the past. There are more than 20 renewable energy projects built on brownfields and more are in progress. Some of the sites EPA and NREL are looking at have finished cleanup activities and others may be in various stages or cleanup or assessment.

EPA says brownfields have a lot of potential because they can frequently take advantage of existing utility infrastructure and the re-development may be allowed under existing zoning regulations.

And just a thought: There's not likely to be too much NIMBY attitude about cleaning up an eyesore.

Photo courtesy of NREL

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