New WFC Publications online now

In January, the WFC has published the new study 'FITness Testing: Exploring the myths and misconceptions about feed-in tariff policies', which reviews and refutes common criticisms of feed-in tariffs. In addition, the WFC flagship publication "A Renewable World" is now available for free download. Click here for more information and downloads. 

WFC takes part in Community Power Conference in Toronto

On November 15-16, 2009, the 1st Community Power Conference organised by the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association and the World Wind Power Association took place in Toronto, Canada. The particpants wrapped up a very successful conference with the creation of a new 'International Community Power working group'. WFC Research Manager Miguel Mendonça gave a presentation on 'Civil Empowerment and the Greening of the Economy'. Go to full story.

New Renewable Energy Alliance established at WFC Workshop in Addis Ababa

On October 10th 2009, representatives from various African countries in Addis Ababa established the African Renewable Energy Alliance (AREA). In this Alliance, utilities, industry, policy-makers and the civil society will work together to boost the take-up of sustainable electrification and thermal power. Go to full story.

Ontario creates comprehensive FIT

On October 1, 2009, an ambitious feed-in tariff scheme entered into force in the Canadian province Ontario. The system is based on the cost of generation from each different technology. The tariffs are precedent setting in North America not only for the number of different technologies listed, but also for the prices offered. Go to full story.

San Diego Renewable Energy Payments (REPs) conference

REPs are the most effective policy option for achieving energy security, job creation and the rapid deployment of renewable energy. There is growing awareness of the effectiveness of Renewable Energy Payments (REPs) in the US. See the proceedings of this conference, which was co-hosted by the World Future Council in October 2008.

Utility executives see solar success in Germany

Read the report of a group of US utility executives on a fact-finding mission to Germany, to learn about the country’s successful integration of significant amounts of solar energy into the electricity grid. Go to full story

Washington DC Feed-In Tariff workshop

Our March 2008 workshop in Washington DC brought together Feed-In Tariff expertise from many countries in Europe and North America. Watch the videos and read summaries of the presentations here.

Renewable Energy Payments (REPs)

The most effective policy option for achieving energy security, job creation and the rapid deployment of renewable energy.

Conference held in San Diego, 12 October 2008

Video - watch this event online

There is growing awareness of the effectiveness of Renewable Energy Payments (REPs) in the US. This was one of the obvious outcomes at the conference discussion entitled Renewable Energy Payments – The most effective Policy Option for Achieving Energy Security, Job Creation and the Rapid Deployment of Renewable Energy held on Sunday, October 12th, in San Diego in conjunction with the Solar Power Conference. The World Future Council, As You Sow, Nexant, BP Solar and SolarWorld co-hosted this event, which was centered on discussing strategy for the introduction and implementation of REP legislation in the United States.

Participants included solar power industry insiders, wind energy producers, renewable energy NGO representatives from throughout the US, venture capitalists, energy policy advocates and analysts, climate change experts, utility and regulatory personnel, and government legislators, all eager to learn more about the economic mechanisms and policies that is successfully propelling Europe’s renewable energy industry.

The goal of the workshop was to discuss policies that will stimulate a social, cultural, and financial investment in renewable energy projects in the US, and specifically in California drawing on German experiences with the Feed-in Tariff policy approach, the workshop was designed to focus on the need for REPs in the US, possible strategies for promoting them, and barriers that must be overcome on the state and federal levels.

The day included three plenary sessions and two brief presentations and was emceed by WFC Climate Policy Officer Randy Hayes. World Future Council Councillor David Krieger, President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, opened the workshop with a welcome address to the diverse audience.

Conference Programme

Download the conference programme here. Links to summaries of individual presentations (where available) are included in the text below.

Opening panel

"Lessons from Europe" - Deployment of successful renewable policies

Wilson Rickerson gave a basic overview of Renewable Energy Payments (REPs) – in Europe known as Feed-in Tariffs – explaining how they work and what great benefits they have brought to Germany. He also dispelled several myths around them, including compatibility with Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS), costs and market conformance. Gerhard Stryi-Hipp reviewed problems with implementation of the FIT policies in Europe and lessons learned. Paul Gipe spoke about the need to rebuild the American infrastructure and the possibility to reindustrialize the US by using renewable energy. However, this is not going to happen without a successful policy in place, such as Renewable Energy Payments, that supports the rapid deployment of renewable energy.

Video clips - choose from the list to watch recordings from this session

California Panel

"Potential Opportunity if Policies are Right"

The second panel focused on California policy initiatives. John Geesman gave a presentation that emphasized the importance of realizing that the federal nature of our electric regulation system puts key authority in the hands of the states, so what they do will have an enormous impact on the system. John White emphasized efforts that are currently undertaken in California to achieve effective policies to support renewable energies. Angelina Galiteva gave a moving presentation on the Policy Options for Energy Democracy and the 100% Renewable Energy Solution.

Video clips - choose from the list to watch recordings from this session

Presentations

Environmental Defense Fund’s Florida Climate Project Director Jerry Karnas spoke enthusiastically about success in the southern US and developing a national renewable energy effort with his presentation entitled Launching a Campaign for REP “As American as mom, apple pie, and NASCAR: Winning in the American South.”

A policy outlook presentation by Siddhartha Sen, Principal of Nexant’s Petrochemical Development Group entitled Modeling for Grid Parity explored timelines for renewable and fossil fuel electricity pricing shifts.

Presentations - select to watch recordings

Business Panel

What policies will bring manufacturing and support to the solar business?

Raju Yenamandra presented the manufacturer’s view on REPs, focusing on the need to simplify programs for consumers to understand and to make purchase decisions in favor of solar installations. Todd Foley gave an overview of policy drivers affecting the market and summarized the experience that has been gained so far with different instruments. As a consequence BP Solar favors long-term, secure fixed price contracts. Lyle Rawlings reported about the lessons learned with the transition to a REC-based incentive structure in New Jersey.

Video - select from list to watch recordings from this session

Closing presentation

Wrapping up the day John Burges gave on outlook on what needs to be done next to support the implementation of Renewable Energy Payments and outlined a campaign strategy which will be followed by the Alliance for Renewable Energy.