Alternative Energy : Footprint Rules of Thumb _ Looking for sustainable energy sources vs. traditional sources
How much energy is needed for Southwest Detroit?
For Southwest Detroit Approximate Energy Usage
13
3.297 x 10 kJ (Annually)
77% natural gas
Sustainable options to address needs?
De
tr
How much
area is
needed?
2.
Solar Photovoltaics
Solar Water Heating
Geothermal
Detroit River Hydro Current
Detroit Salt Mines
4. Detroit Rive
r1
06
.7
5.
s
re
ac
s
and
23% electrical,
s
re
ac
27.3% of the
land available
in southwest
G
Solar
Photovoltaics:
eo
th
re
es
ac alt Min
tS
oi
Currently the mix is ~
0
the southwest
Detroit
5
What kind of energy is needed?
Need a mix of electrical (provided by coal and
nuclear utility plants)and heating (currently
provided by natural gas) and does not include
motor gasoline
Detroit River:
19.3% along
1. Solar Photo
volt
aic
s
3,
ater hea
w
r
a
l
o
40
ting
3. S
1,2
45
=
Solar water:
Using 15% of
land (possibly
only roof-tops)
er
ma
l 2,
548 ac
Detroit Salt
Mines:
Subterranean
20 miles
res
Geothermal:
20.5% of the
land available
in Southwest
Detroit
Overall:
1. Use 3,586.2 acres of land for solar and geothermal energy production (this land could be duel use such as
13
PV and geothermal together,
or PV could be on any appropriate vertical, horizontal or angle13surface.)
2. We need 3.297 x 10 kJ and using reasonable assumptions we could deliver 3.67 x 10 kJ
3. Fully review Detroit Salt mines as an energy option