City of Columbia to study feasibility of 100% renewable energy production by 2030

Columbia city staff are starting to explore the possibility of sourcing the city's energy production from 100% renewable sources.

An ardent community push for this started roughly six months ago with a demonstration at city hall. Community members have kept up pressure on the city staff and the council ever since.

This included a message from Carolyn Amparan of Columbia 100% Renewable Energy by 2030 Initiative at the start of Monday's council meeting.

"This management goal-setting decision is totally in control of the city council," she said. "If at a future date, 2030 no longer seems feasible for financial or technical reasons, the city council at that time could modify the goal to allow for an appropriate extension."

A report was provided to the council this week on the 100% by 2030 proposal by Christian Johanningmeier, Columbia Water and Light power production superintendent.

Even though renewable energy production fell below goals last year, the city is close to reaching its goal for this year as well as seeking ways to increase renewable energy capacity to make up for losses, such as through the lack of the Boone-Stephens solar farm agreement, he said.

The city seeks to update the Integrated Electric Resource and Master Plan from 2019 through additional study.

"Market conditions in the electric and natural gas markets that drive a lot of the volatility in electric markets is that those markets are significantly different than they were in 2019," Johanningmeier said.

The city works on a daily basis with The Energy Authority and the staff hopes to work with that organization on exploring the feasibility of the 100% by 2030 question, he added. The study would happen within the first three months of 2023, with a report coming in the second quarter. Costs to the city are roughly between $90,000 to $100,000. City staff was approved to start crafting agreements for a future council meeting vote.

The study will help determine public impacts, including electric rate impacts based on any proposed changes to city ordinances, Johanningmeier said, answering questions from the council. Current obstacles to reaching the 100% by 2030 goal are current power purchase agreements, which The Energy Authority can help identify solutions to overcoming, added Nancy Thompson, city attorney, noting agreements are for more than 40 years.

The Energy Authority "can put a price tag on what it takes to" get out from the agreements, Thompson said.

Advanced Metering Infrastructure

The council also received a report on the possibility of transitioning to Advanced Metering Infrastructure for the electric utility and the potential for water meters in the future. Instead of employees conducting meter reads, the city would receive ongoing meter reports through a digital collection system.

The Water and Light Advisory Board recently held a public meeting with a focus on this topic.

The city could hire a system design consultant in 2023 and start this $24 million capital project in 2024, taking three years.

An AMI system allows for more billing versatility, said David Sorrell, utilities director.

The council also approved staff to move forward with adding an additional transformer at the Perche Creek substation. There are flooding concerns at Hinkson Creek substation from city staff so staff also recommend building a new substation at a higher elevation. This possibility needs more study so staff will come back with more information at a future council meeting or work session.