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Energy expert urges Westerville Electric to expand renewables, efficiency and demand‑response programs
Summary
Janine Migden Ostrander, an energy expert, urged council to move Westerville Electric away from a full‑requirements contract toward a diversified portfolio emphasizing rooftop solar, wind with storage, energy efficiency and demand‑response to lower costs and reduce peaking‑power expenses.
Janine Migden Ostrander, a fellow at Pace University Law School’s Energy and Climate Center and a former state consumer advocate, used the council’s public‑comment period to recommend several changes to Westerville Electric’s procurement and customer programs.
In a three‑minute presentation she told council she supports the utility’s plan to move from a fixed full‑requirements contract to a diversified portfolio and recommended expanded rooftop solar, greater investment in renewables (highlighting onshore wind and wind‑plus‑storage in a recent Lazard levelized cost comparison), stepped‑up energy‑efficiency measures and demand‑response programs to reduce the need for expensive peaking capacity.
"Energy efficiency is the least‑cost option," she said, adding that demand‑response and short cycling of air conditioners can reduce the system’s need for peaking power, which she described as one of the most expensive options at about $110 per kilowatt in her presentation. Ms. Ostrander said rooftop solar uses existing infrastructure and that combining wind with storage can match the cost of natural‑gas peakers while providing emissions benefits.
Why it matters
Utility procurement choices and local programs influence electricity costs for residents and local businesses. Efficiency and demand‑response programs can reduce bills for participating customers and reduce system peak demand that drives the need for costly peaking generation.
What the speaker recommended
- Pursue more renewable generation in the portfolio (she cited Lazard’s levelized cost of energy comparisons). - Expand rooftop solar programs that use existing roof infrastructure. - Implement robust energy‑efficiency programs because they lower usage and bills for participants and reduce system costs. - Adopt demand‑response measures (for example, brief cycling of residential air conditioners during peak events) to curb peaking costs.
Provenance (transcript excerpts)
- topicintro: "Thank you very much for the opportunity to address you. My name is Janine Migden Ostrander." (block_1739.3)
- topfinish: "Thank you very much." (block_1927.395)
Speakers
- Janine Migden Ostrander, energy expert, fellow at Pace University Law School Energy and Climate Center (citizen commenter)
Authorities
- Lazard levelized cost of energy comparison (referenced by speaker; not specified which annual edition).
