SESSION: ALTERNATIVE USES OF RIGHTS OF WAYJune 17, 2014, 1pm

RENEWABLE ENERGY IN HIGHWAY RIGHTS-OF-WAYGina Filosa, Operations Research Analyst, Volpe Institute (MA)

ENERGY MANAGEMENT: FINANCING SUSTAINABILITY Noel Lafayette, SHR Energy Management (CT/NY)

HIGHWAY RIGHT-OF-WAY USE FOR CARBON SEQUESTRATION, BIOMASS PRODUCTION, AND ENERGY EFFICIENT LIGHTINGDavid Ponder, Good Company

LA METRO ALTERNATIVE ENERGY PROJECTS Cris Liban, D.Env., P.E., LA Metro (CA)

UTILIZING RIGHT-OF-WAYS FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAMS Ned Codd, P.E., Assistant Secretary for GreenDOT, MassDOT

SESSION: ALTERNATIVE USES OF RIGHTS OF WAYRenewable Energy in Highway Rights-of-Way

By: Gina Filosa, Operations Research Analyst, Volpe Institute (MA)

The U.S. DOT Volpe Center has worked with the Federal Highway Administration and select State DOTs to explore the feasibility and implications of implementing renewable energy technologies in highway rights-of-way. Early adopters of these types of projects have encountered a variety of economic, ecological, legal, and political challenges related to whether accommodating renewable energy technologies can be a practical highway land management practices. This presentation will describe permitting options for these types of projects, highlight projects currently underway, and outline potential future research areas.

Gina Filosa is an Operations Research Analyst with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Volpe Center, a unique Federal agency focused on advancing transportation innovation for the public good. Ms. Filosa provides technical research and policy and planning support to Federal agencies in the areas of climate change adaptation and mitigation, environmental streamlining, and long-range transportation planning. Her recent work includes an analysis of the implications of accommodating renewable energy technologies and alternative fuel facilities along highways. Ms. Filosa holds an M.A. in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University, and a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Providence College.

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Renewable Energy in Highway Right-of-WayTransportation Research Board Committee ADC60 Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure Workshop Tuesday, June 17, 2014

U.S. Department of TransportationFederal Highway AdministrationOffice of Real Estate Services

The National Transportation Systems Center

Solar Array on State Route 44 in Carver, MA

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2012 “Alternative Uses of ROW” Report 2013 Briefing book and pilot projects

Arizona and Colorado DOTs

FHWA and Volpe’s recent activities

Federal Highway AdministrationOffice of Real Estate Services

Michigan DOT: Grid-connected PV at rest areas

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Website

www.fhwa.dot.gov/real_estate/practitioners/right-of-way/corridor_management/alternative_uses.cfm Federal Highway Administration

Office of Real Estate Services

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Carver, MA: Solar ProjectSource: Jack Hunter Ohio DOT: Veteran’s Glass City

Skyway BridgeSource: Ohio DOT

Oregon DOT: Solar Highway ProjectsSource: Oregon DOT

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Missouri DOT: I-44 Welcome Center Wind Project

Photo: Windspire Energy, MoDOT

Texas DOT: Culberson County Rest Area

Photo: Texas DOT

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Utility Accommodation Utility Accommodation Policy (23 CFR 645

Subpart B) Airspace lease (23 CFR 710 Subpart D)

Control of Access to Interstate (23 CFR 620.203h)

Use and Occupancy Permit (23 CFR 645.213) Environmental Local government permitting

Permitting/Regulatory Requirements

Federal Highway AdministrationOffice of Real Estate Services

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Potential Business Models Utility/developer

installs and operates facility in ROW DOT purchases

electricity DOT does not purchase

electricity DOT acquires

ownership or Renewable Energy Credits

DOT owns and operates facility

Public Private Partnership – DOT Purchases Electricity

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Other considerations Siting criteria Lease agreements State energy

regulations: Interconnection

standards Net metering

policies Renewable Portfolio

Standard Photo: Gary Weber, ODOT

Photo: Carver, MA

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Research Questions/Needs What are the environmental, safety,

operational trade-offs? Do they vary by region? Solar glare impacts? Does snow deposition on solar present

unique maintenance issues? Crosswinds or ice throw from, or bird

mortality caused by wind turbines? Options to balance trade-offs or

alleviate impacts?

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Research Questions/Needs (cont.) Value-based

selection criteria Life-cycle

assessments More information

on European experience Integration with

noise barriers

UK example Source: www.photovoltaik.eu/typo3temp/pics/92b3a2e7eb.jpg

Germany example Source: www.ralos.de

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ContactGina FilosaU.S. Department of Transportation Volpe, The National Transportation Systems Center617-494-3452gina.filosa@dot.gov

FHWA Renewable Energy in ROW website: www.fhwa.dot.gov/real_estate/practitioners/right-of-way/corridor_management/alternative_uses.cfm

Federal Highway AdministrationOffice of Real Estate Services