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More people are becoming increasingly interested in renewable energy.

The electricity generated for HWE and the other 23 electric cooperatives in Ohio is produced by Columbus-based Buckeye Power, Inc. (BPI) who does so through coal fired and gas turbine units. BPI is currently researching renewable sources that will support all Ohio electric cooperatives:

1. You can view data from the 100-foot Wind Turbine Research Project at Indian Lake High School in Lewistown, OH (west Central Ohio).
2. You can also view data from BPI's Solar Panel Research Project at Butler Rural Electric Cooperative in Oxford, OH (southwest Ohio).
3. BPI is looking at wind studies on Lake Erie's Kelleys Island, which is part of HWE's service territory, to determine if this is a feasible location for a wind project.
4. BPI is investigating opportunites to construct bio-digester units and generate electricity from landfill gas.  This type of source is considered more of a base load system since it generates power on a more consistent basis, and has been very successful for Kentucky's electric cooperatives.

While BPI and HWE continue to investigate these options, other factors must be considered, not the least of which is having distribution and transmission lines to be able to support the increased power output being channeled around our service territory.  Plus, adding any new generation source (wind, solar, coal, gas, etc.) is costly; the upfront capital investment necessary can be very expensive if the unit is not running a large portion of the year (e.g., there is not enough wind in an area).

On an individual level, occasionally members share interest in building their own home renewable energy source. In response, HWE created a "Renewable Energy Interconnect Policy" (downloadable files below) which establishes the processes and procedures for interconnecting any distributive generation to HWE's distribution system.  The policy breaks distributive generation (e.g., wind turbines) into three categories based on their electrical output.  The main points of this policy include:

• Member files an "Interconnection Application" along with a $200 processing fee.
• Installation must comply with "Technical Guidelines for Interconnection and Parallel Operation" (file below).
• Feasibility and facility study performed by HWE, if needed.
• Member placed on backup energy electric rate with $40/mo. service charge.

If you are serious about pursuing renewable energy at your residence, read through the files below, then contact our engineering department.

Downloadable files:

1. Technical Guidelines for Interconnection and Parallel Operation
2. Renewable Energy Information - Small power production facilities greater than 25 kW but less than 1 mw
3. Renewable Energy Information - Small power production facilities up to 25 kW
4. Electric Cooperatives and Renewable Energy - produced by NRECA (3.2 MB)