Other Options to Meet Energy Demand
Energy-efficiency programs and fuel options
Adding biomass power to the mix of alternative energy sources already being aggressively pursued by GRU is the most cost-effective and efficient way to meet the community’s future energy needs with a renewable, carbon-neutral energy source. Over the last decade, GRU has developed a balanced plan which includes a focus on energy-efficiency programs and increased use of renewable and domestic fuels to generate electricity.
While these efforts go a long way toward helping our customers save money and add diversity to GRU’s fuel mix, they only account for a small portion of the community’s total energy needs.
Energy-efficiency Programs
GRU's energy-efficiency rebate programs and educational efforts have helped customers lower their bills and energy usage. Overall, GRU customers use about one-third less electricity than customers across the state of Florida.
| Average Residential Customer | Usage |
|---|---|
| GRU | 813 kilowatt hours/month |
| Statewide | 1,122 kilowatt hours/month |
Between October 2006 and September 2009, GRU customers have achieved just over 50,000 megawatt hours in savings, which is equal to the amount of energy needed to power more than 5,100 homes for one year. These savings add up to $6.8 million a year on customers’ energy bills.
Other Fuel Options
- Coal and Natural Gas are currently used to generate most of Gainesville's energy. These fuels are expected to increase in cost, especially if proposed carbon legislation is enacted.
- Nuclear makes up about 4 percent of the fuel mix as GRU owns a share of the Crystal River Nuclear Plant.
- Solar has been an overwhelming success. GRU recently became the first utility in the nation to implement a solar feed-in tariff program. With programs already in place offering rebates and net-metering options for customers, the feed-in tariff has resulted in a solar boom with an additional 440 kilowatts online within 10 months.
- Landfill gas has been expanded with a new 3 megawatt project at the Marion County Baseline Landfill that collects methane gas and uses it as fuel for electric generators.
