Renewable energy potential on marginal lands in the United States

Anelia R. Milbrandt, Donna M. Heimiller, Andrew D. Perry and Christopher B. Field

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2014, vol. 29, issue C, 473-481

Abstract: This study identifies several marginal land categories suitable for renewable energy development, representing about 11% of U.S. mainland. The authors define marginal lands as areas with inherent disadvantages or lands that have been marginalized by natural and/or artificial forces. These lands are generally underused, difficult to cultivate, have low economic value, and varied developmental potential. The study finds that a significant potential exists for renewable energy development on these lands. Technologies assessed include utility-scale photovoltaics (PV), concentrating solar power (CSP), wind, hydrothermal geothermal, mini-hydro systems (low head/low power), biomass power, and landfill gas-to-energy. Solar technologies present the highest opportunity, followed by wind and biomass power. It is estimated that about 4.5PWh of electricity could be produced from PV on marginal lands in the conterminous United States, 4PWh from CSP, 2.7PWh from wind, 1.9PWh from biomass, 11TWh from mini-hydropower systems, 8.8TWh from hydrothermal geothermal, and 7.3TWh from landfill gas. While it is possible for some technologies to be co-located, it is more likely that only one will be deployed in a given area. Thus, it is most reasonable to view the potential for different technologies separately.

Keywords: Renewable energy; Renewable resources; Marginal lands (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (31)

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DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2013.08.079

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