Case studies on the economic viability of renewable energy

Abstract

Restructuring of the U.S. electric power industry has refocused attention on renewable energy and the policies that affect it. There is no shortage of literature written by either proponents or opponents of renewable energy technologies each of who seek to push a specific agenda. Proponents may be advocating on behalf of a particular technology manufacturer or an environmental interest group. Opponents tend to be highly skeptical of claims made by environmental groups that energy from renewable sources can be produced cost effectively. The crux of this paper is to address one of the more salient questions that power producers or potential power producers must ask when considering the application renewable energy technologies: "Is renewable energy economically viable?" Several case studies have been performed to answer this question