Topic outline

  • EPA: Using “Limbo Lands” as Sites for Renewable Energy

    Credits: 3 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    This online engineering PDH course discusses the potential for using “Limbo Lands” as sites for renewable energy generating stations. Limbo Lands are underused, formerly contaminated sites, and include former Superfund sites, landfills, brownfields, abandoned mine lands, former industrial sites, and certain government installations. The course describes types of Limbo Lands that are ready for redevelopment and their feasibility with renewable energy technologies (RETs). The course discusses reasons for considering RETs (and which ones) as a redevelopment option on Limbo Lands, describes the geographic screening process, identifies high-potential limbo land sites for RET redevelopment, includes discussion of two specific types of Limbo Lands: brownfields and abandoned mine lands, and provides conclusions and recommendations.

    Topics:

    • Reasons for considering RETS as a redevelopment option on limbo lands
    • Process for geographic screening of limbo lands
    • Identification of high-potential limbo lands for redevelopment using RETS
    • Wind power considerations and resource availability
    • Solar power
    • Biomass
    • Other types of limbo lands – brownfields and abandoned mine lands

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course:
    Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)


    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
         NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.

    Print the Certificate of Completion

    Intended Audience: This course is intended for engineers concerned with the reclamation and use of environmentally challenging sites, especially with the aim of locating sites for renewable energy technologies.
    Publication Source: This course is based on the Environmental Protection Agency document, “Converting Limbo Lands to Energy-Generating Stations: Renewable Energy Technologies on Underused, Formerly Contaminated Sites,” EPA/600/R-08/023, written by Gail Mosey, et al, October, 2007.


    Mark Rossow PhD, PE (retired)

    • Topic 1