Renewable Energy
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11 x 17 Map of Sensitive SLV Resources (11.5 MB)
47 x 36 Map of Sensitive SLV Resources (13.65 MB)
Across the United States, and around the world, the question of how to meet energy demands in a clean, efficient, and cost-effective manner has become one of the most pressing of the new millennium. Government has acknowledged the climate crisis, and many communities are seeing the negative impacts of gas and oil development, as well as the devastating effects of coal-fired power production. Even the industry’s assertion that there is such a thing as clean-coal is riddled with problems. The United States and many countries around the world recognize the need to change the way we produce, store, and deliver energy.
The Colorado Governor’s Energy Office, in a report published in 2008, identified the San Luis Valley as a prime location for solar development in the state of Colorado. The San Luis Valley has clear skies, cool temperatures and a high elevation at over 7,000 feet, and 1-3% gradient slopes on the Valley floor, making it a very favorable location for development of large-scale solar facilities.
In 2007, Sun Edison built a solar photovoltaic plant near Mosca, Colorado, and power generation from this facility was higher than projected. Sun Edison has also developed PV plants for Alamosa High School and the San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center. This type of energy production, which is small-scale, distributed, and does not require large-scale transmission, is one example of how energy demands can be met. (See The Nation: Think Solar, Think Small and Rocky Mountain Institute Newsletter: Small is Profitable). Germany has incorporated many similar types of facilities into their basic infrastructure, and despite the fact that they receive only 58% of the sunlight as the Southwest, they are able to meet many of their energy demands.
Industrial Scale or Concentrated Solar Plants, on the other hand, produce energy on a large-scale. They require some type of additional power to keep the energy flowing even when the sun is not shining, and they usually require the construction of high-voltage transmission lines to deliver the energy to areas of need. Most of the CSP plants currently in operation use large amounts of water (see table). Many citizens believe that caution must be exercised for the San Luis Valley, where water issues have been a topic of concern for years. Sandia Laboratories, in New Mexico, is experimenting with Stirling Engine technology to address this concern.
SLVEC is very involved in this process. We recently submitted comments (See also Sand Hill Crane Distribution) to the Bureau of Land Management on four public lands areas in the SLV that have been identified as possible sites for large-scale solar development. (See BLM Map). We believe that is crucial to protect the water, public lands, and natural resources in the San Luis Valley, and that any large-scale development should address these concerns.
TRANSMISSION LINES
The debate about how best to address these energy issues is happening around the country. The problems and costs associated with the construction of high-voltage transmission lines are of concern to many. A proposal for Green Path North, a transmission line that would travel 85 miles and cross the Mojave Desert in southern California, has drawn tremendous opposition from local residents and environmental groups. The Energy Justice Network has produced educational materials about transmission lines, including the problems with electromagnetic fields, and keeps track of transmission line proposals around the country and in Canada.
(See Transmission Lies, What is Smart Grid? and A Smart Grid, Yes. A New National Grid, No.)
The San Luis Valley is facing the same issue. Xcel Energy and Tri-State Generation and Transmission have proposed the construction of a 95-mile, double circuit 230 kV transmission line from Alamosa to Walsenburg. This line would cross La Veta Pass, and would be visible from Highway 160. (See Proposed Transmission Corridor Map).
SLVEC is working closely with the Citizens for San Luis Valley Water Protection Coalition to address the concerns associated with the construction of this line. We have formed a Solar Working Group, and meet on a regular basis to discuss future actions. (See Position Paper)
SLVEC works to protect the public lands involved in all aspects of renewable energy development, and to protect the biological resources, ecosystems and natural diversity of the San Luis Valley.
Documents
San Luis Valley Load Fact Sheet
Map of Proposed Transmission Lines
Expert Opinion
Designating Energy Corridors on Federal Land
Xcel Seeks Bids on World's Biggest Solar Project
SLV Solar Symposium - Questionaire
Proposed Section 368 Energy Corridors - Colorado - Map - CAUTION: Very large file
Rocky Mountain Institute Newsletter - Small is Profitable
Does a Big Economy Need Big Power Plants? A Guest Post
The Nation: Think Solar, Think Small
Transmission Lies
What is a Smart Grid?
A Smart Grid, yes. A new national grid, no.
Federal Transmission Bill 3-09
