SESSION: ALTERNATIVE USES OF RIGHTS OF WAY
June 17, 2014, 1pm
RENEWABLE ENERGY IN HIGHWAY RIGHTS-OF-WAY
Gina Filosa, Operations Research Analyst, Volpe Institute (MA)
ENERGY MANAGEMENT: FINANCING SUSTAINABILITY
Noel Lafayette, SHR Energy Management (CT/NY)
HIGHWAY RIGHT-OF-WAY USE FOR CARBON SEQUESTRATION, BIOMASS PRODUCTION, AND ENERGY EFFICIENT LIGHTING
David Ponder, Good Company
LA METRO ALTERNATIVE ENERGY PROJECTS
Cris Liban, D.Env., P.E., LA Metro (CA)
UTILIZING RIGHT-OF-WAYS FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAMS
Ned Codd, P.E., Assistant Secretary for GreenDOT, MassDOT
SESSION: ALTERNATIVE USES OF RIGHTS OF WAY
Renewable Energy in Highway Rights-of-Way
By: Gina Filosa, Operations Research Analyst, Volpe Institute (MA)
The U.S. DOT Volpe Center has worked with the Federal Highway Administration and select State DOTs to explore the feasibility
and implications of implementing renewable energy technologies in highway rights-of-way. Early adopters of these types of projects
have encountered a variety of economic, ecological, legal, and political challenges related to whether accommodating renewable
energy technologies can be a practical highway land management practices. This presentation will describe permitting options for
these types of projects, highlight projects currently underway, and outline potential future research areas.
Gina Filosa is an Operations Research Analyst with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Volpe Center, a unique Federal agency focused
on advancing transportation innovation for the public good. Ms. Filosa provides technical research and policy and planning support to Federal
agencies in the areas of climate change adaptation and mitigation, environmental streamlining, and long-range transportation planning. Her
recent work includes an analysis of the implications of accommodating renewable energy technologies and alternative fuel facilities along
highways. Ms. Filosa holds an M.A. in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University, and a B.A. in Environmental
Studies from Providence College.
Renewable Energy in Highway
Right-of-Way
Transportation Research Board Committee ADC60
Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure Workshop
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
The National Transportation Systems Center
U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
Office of Real Estate Services
Solar Array on State Route 44 in Carver, MA
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FHWA and Volpe’s recent activities


2012 “Alternative Uses of ROW” Report
2013 Briefing book and pilot projects
 Arizona and Colorado DOTs
Michigan DOT: Grid-connected PV at rest areas
Federal Highway Administration
Office of Real Estate Services
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Website
www.fhwa.dot.gov/real_estate/practitioners/right-of-way/corridor_management/alternative_uses.cfm
Federal Highway Administration
Office of Real Estate Services
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Carver, MA: Solar Project
Ohio DOT: Veteran’s Glass
City Skyway Bridge
Source: Jack Hunter
Source: Ohio DOT
Oregon DOT: Solar Highway Projects
Source: Oregon DOT
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Texas DOT: Culberson County
Rest Area
Photo: Texas DOT
Missouri DOT: I-44 Welcome
Center Wind Project
Photo: Windspire Energy, MoDOT
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Permitting/Regulatory Requirements

Utility Accommodation
 Utility Accommodation Policy (23 CFR 645 Subpart B)
 Airspace lease (23 CFR 710 Subpart D)

Control of Access to Interstate (23 CFR 620.203h)

Use and Occupancy Permit (23 CFR 645.213)

Environmental

Local government permitting
Federal Highway Administration
Office of Real Estate Services
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Potential Business Models

Utility/developer
installs and operates
facility in ROW
 DOT purchases
electricity
 DOT does not purchase
electricity
 DOT acquires
ownership or
Renewable Energy
Credits

DOT owns and
operates facility
Public Private Partnership – DOT Purchases Electricity
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Other considerations

Siting criteria

Lease agreements

State energy
regulations:
Photo: Carver, MA
 Interconnection standards
 Net metering policies
 Renewable Portfolio
Standard
Photo: Gary Weber, ODOT
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Research Questions/Needs

What are the environmental, safety, operational
trade-offs? Do they vary by region?
 Solar glare impacts?
 Does snow deposition on solar present unique
maintenance issues?
 Crosswinds or ice throw from, or bird mortality
caused by wind turbines?
 Options to balance trade-offs or alleviate
impacts?
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Research Questions/Needs (cont.)

Value-based selection
criteria

Life-cycle assessments

More information on
European experience

UK example Source: www.photovoltaik.eu/typo3temp/pics/92b3a2e7eb.jpg
Integration with noise
barriers
Germany example Source: www.ralos.de
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Contact
Gina Filosa
U.S. Department of Transportation
Volpe, The National Transportation Systems Center
617-494-3452
gina.filosa@dot.gov
FHWA Renewable Energy in ROW website:
www.fhwa.dot.gov/real_estate/practitioners/right-ofway/corridor_management/alternative_uses.cfm
Federal Highway Administration
Office of Real Estate Services
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