LOCALenergy (as LOCAL, LLP)
We are taking an active role in conversations about our energy futures. We believe that state and regional energy portfolios need to be expanded to include more clean and renewable sources. To that end, we are exploring business models and challenging assumptions about renewable energy and creating vivid alternatives to present day practices.
LOCALenergy is a wind energy – hybrid car infrastructure using NYC to catalyze a regional wind power network. It addresses two of our most significant energy needs: transportation and electricity production. It seeks to reduce dependency on fossil fuels in both sectors by linking wind power (because of its financial competitiveness with nonrenewable forms of electricity) and plug-in hybrid cars. Following is the full presentation, the text is in the captions below the images
In collaboration with: Vanessa Eickhoff, Andrea Kahn and Howard Rosenberg

New York City has some of the worst air quality in the United States. Studies confirm that automobile emissions contribute to asthma, cancers, etc. Together automobiles and power plants account for 75% of the city’s nitrogen oxide emissions – emissions responsible for a wide variety of health and environmental impacts.

But an alternative exists. Using electricity as their principal fuel source, plug-in hybrid cars emit no airborne emissions for the first 40 to 60 miles of travel. The average car in the United States only drives 32 miles per day. This plug-in technology is already widely available.

As natural gas prices continue to rise, wind is the only competitive, clean and safe fuel for producing electricity. Solar energy remains six to eight times more expensive and even the cleanest coal plants incur substantial environmental and health costs. Wind power is financially stable, environmentally friendly and immediately available.

Vehicle to grid (V2G) technology uses cars to conserve power from intermittent sources like wind and supply it back to the grid during periods of demand. This reduces transmission loads and the need to make additional power during peak periods. Utilities already pay some users for this regulatory function.

Negative reaction to wind turbines has been over-reported. Studies indicate that the majority of people favor wind energy; and once installed, public approval ratings rise as high as 90%. In this context, every single turbine contributes to a tipping point.

Hybrid buses, trucks, cars and sanitation trucks are already in production. Converting the city’s sedan fleet alone would provide 30 million dollars of revenue per year by regulating peak demand. In addition, installing turbines would help New York continue to produce 80% of its electricity in the five boroughs.

Changing public opinion will make it easier for private property owners to erect turbines. In addition to the substantial benefits of converting private fleets, companies that install turbines for their own use assure themselves fixed energy costs for twenty years (the effective life of the turbine).

Converting large garages to V2G facilities can increase garage profits even as it reduces capital investment costs and lowers parking rates for tenants.

Converting park and ride lots to “park’n’charge” stations lets municipalities, regional transport systems and private car owners save money while supporting mass transit. The concentration of parked cars during periods of peak demand makes wind power more competitive with non-renewable energy sources.