The Institute for Environmental Research and Education tested the idea on Vashon-Maury Island, in the middle of Puget Sound, and here are the results.
First, they surveyed energy use on the island and estimated the renewable energy available on island.
They wrote a how-to manual for other communities to do the same assessment.
They found that there was more than enough energy available to power the entire island, most of it (to their surprise) was solar power. Even in this cloudy, rainy Pacific Northwest community, there was plenty of energy to support their mostly-middle-class lifestyle. They found that there was already all the technology they needed to be a net-zero community (generating more energy than they used) but the biggest barrier was lack of political will.
Vashon is similar in size and population to San Juan Island! The report looks at energy consumption and many possible renewable sources. It is a fascinating read, and a possible model for us if we were to undertake a similar study.
Great stuff! Would be so great to see this applied to San Juan. Let’s do it!
Can I copy and post this on the Islands Energy Matters blog with proper attribution to you? Please let me know. Thank you.
Chom
By all means go ahead and use the material!
Thanks for the comment.
Vince