Distributed energy infrastructure development: geospatial and economic feasibility in rural West Virginia

Abstract

Energy transition from conventional centralized power plants, particularly coal-fired units, is critical for West Virginia’s long-term energy and economic future. The socioeconomic challenges faced by West Virginia are closely linked to its reliance on the centralized coal industry and economy, which has declined precipitously in the past decade. Many postindustrial communities in rural areas struggle to sustain economic viability, resulting in documented outmigration and diminished energy resilience. We investigated the possibility of introducing community-sized distributed energy systems in these rural communities to improve energy resilience and support the transition toward more sustainable energy production. This study investigated the feasibility of introducing community-sized distributed energy systems in rural West Virginia to enhance energy resilience and facilitate the transition away from traditional centralized energy. Utilizing a geospatial modeling approach with Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and Geographic Information System (GIS) suitability assessment, we identified optimal locations for small-scale distributed wind, solar, and hydropower energy generation. The study conducted a net value comparison analysis, assessing the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and levelized avoided cost of energy (LACE) to determine the economic feasibility of each distributed generation type compared to traditional coal-generated electricity. Our findings revealed that wind and solar distributed generation are most suitable in southern and eastern West Virginia counties, while potential sites for small hydropower development are dispersed across the state . This study offers valuable insights into the possible future of distributed energy and its infrastructure development in rural West Virginia, thus contributing to the state’s energy transition and economic revitalization efforts.