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

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Title: Distributed energy infrastructure development: geospatial and economic feasibility in rural West Virginia.
Authors: Zhang, Xinming Andy1 (AUTHOR) andyzxm1101@gmail.com, Kinder, Paul2 (AUTHOR), Strager, Michael2 (AUTHOR), Taylor, Samuel3 (AUTHOR), Schwartzman, Gabe1 (AUTHOR)
Source: Environment, Development & Sustainability. May2026, Vol. 28 Issue 5, p10617-10654. 38p.
Subject Terms: *Distributed power generation, *Feasibility studies, *Renewable energy sources, *Geospatial data, *Renewable energy transition (Government policy), *Energy security, *Rural development
Geographic Terms: 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Database: Energy & Power Source
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DbLabel: Energy & Power Source
An: 193283983
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PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
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  Data: Distributed energy infrastructure development: geospatial and economic feasibility in rural West Virginia.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Zhang%2C+Xinming+Andy%22">Zhang, Xinming Andy</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> andyzxm1101@gmail.com</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kinder%2C+Paul%22">Kinder, Paul</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Strager%2C+Michael%22">Strager, Michael</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Taylor%2C+Samuel%22">Taylor, Samuel</searchLink><relatesTo>3</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Schwartzman%2C+Gabe%22">Schwartzman, Gabe</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Environment%2C+Development+%26+Sustainability%22">Environment, Development & Sustainability</searchLink>. May2026, Vol. 28 Issue 5, p10617-10654. 38p.
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Distributed+power+generation%22">Distributed power generation</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Feasibility+studies%22">Feasibility studies</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Renewable+energy+sources%22">Renewable energy sources</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Geospatial+data%22">Geospatial data</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Renewable+energy+transition+%28Government+policy%29%22">Renewable energy transition (Government policy)</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Energy+security%22">Energy security</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Rural+development%22">Rural development</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22West+Virginia%22">West Virginia</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1007/s10668-024-05363-1
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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      Pagination:
        PageCount: 38
        StartPage: 10617
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Distributed power generation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Feasibility studies
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Renewable energy sources
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Geospatial data
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Renewable energy transition (Government policy)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Energy security
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Rural development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: West Virginia
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Distributed energy infrastructure development: geospatial and economic feasibility in rural West Virginia.
        Type: main
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          Name:
            NameFull: Zhang, Xinming Andy
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            NameFull: Kinder, Paul
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            NameFull: Strager, Michael
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            NameFull: Taylor, Samuel
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            NameFull: Schwartzman, Gabe
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            – D: 01
              M: 05
              Text: May2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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              Value: 28
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              Value: 5
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Environment, Development & Sustainability
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