Prioritizing Renewable Energy Projects for a Mid-sized City

Background:

The city of Sunsville, with a population of approximately 500,000 residents, is committed to transforming its energy sources to 70% renewables by the end of the decade. City officials have identified five potential projects that can help them reach this goal. These projects vary in terms of cost, feasibility, potential energy yield, and public support.

Objective:

As a project manager, your task is to evaluate these potential projects and recommend which should be pursued, and in which order, to maximize the city's renewable energy capacity while considering budget constraints and public opinion.

Projects for Consideration:

Solar Power Park

• Cost: $10 million
• Potential annual energy yield: 50 GWh
• Feasibility: High (ample sun, available land)
• Public support: Moderate

Wind Turbine Farm

• Cost: $12 million
• Potential annual energy yield: 60 GWh
• Feasibility: Medium (some resistance due to noise concerns)
• Public support: Low

Geothermal Energy Plant

• Cost: $20 million
• Potential annual energy yield: 100 GWh
• Feasibility: Low (untested technology for the region)
• Public support: High (due to low environmental impact)

Biofuel Power Plant

• Cost: $8 million
• Potential annual energy yield: 40 GWh
• Feasibility: Medium (availability of raw materials is seasonal)
• Public support: Moderate

Hydropower Station Retrofit

• Cost: $5 million
• Potential annual energy yield: 20 GWh
• Feasibility: High (existing infrastructure)
• Public support: High

Guidelines for the paper:

1. Introduction: Discuss the importance of renewable energy and the city's objectives.
2. Criteria for Selection: Define the criteria you will use to evaluate and prioritize the projects (e.g., cost-effectiveness, feasibility, public opinion, potential energy yield).
3. Evaluation: Discuss each project in detail, assessing its strengths, weaknesses, and potential challenges based on the given data and any additional research.
4. Recommendations: List the projects in the order they should be pursued, justifying your choices based on your evaluations.
5. Risk Management: Identify potential risks for each recommended project and suggest mitigation strategies.
6. Conclusion: Sum up your findings and reiterate the importance of strategic project selection in achieving Sunsville's renewable energy goals