A distributed renewable energy system meeting 100% of electricity demand in Humboldt County: a feasibility study

Title:	A distributed renewable energy system meeting 100% of electricity demand in Humboldt County: a feasibility study
Author:	Ross, Darrell Adam
Abstract:	A model of electricity supply and demand in Humboldt County, California over the course of one year is presented. Wind, ocean–wave, solar, and biomass electricity generation are simulated using available hourly data and efﬁciencies of extraction for each. Hourly electricity demand is simulated using US Census 2000 data and county load data. A simulated two-dimensional geospatial map of Humboldt County power distribution is updated each hour of the simulation as demand and supplies ﬂuctuate over one year. Given zero input from fossil fuel power generation sources, the model will show that without sufficient transmission to import power in times of deﬁcit, the intermittent nature of each renewable power source cannot be compensated for even when all are harvested simultaneously. The model goes on to show that with reasonable renewable power plant sizes and as transmission capacity increases, Humboldt County could not only meet 100% of electricity demand year round, but could become a net electricity exporter.
Description:	This is a preliminary look at a pure renewable electricity generation scenarios in Humboldt County. There were numerous paths that had to be left out of scope to complete the project. Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, Environmental Systems: Math Modeling, 2009
URI:	http://hdl.handle.net/2148/503
Date:	2009-06