|
Carl Stills, interim energy manager at Imperial Irrigation District, talks about the renewable energy industry during the panel The New Realities for the Renewable Energy Industry on Thursday in Holtville. (JOSELITO VILLERO PHOTO / March 14, 2013) |
HOLTVILLE — How to integrate the large number of renewable energy sources in California that have sprung up in recent years was just one issue that was discussed Thursday during the first full day of the sixth annual Renewable Energy Summit at the Barbara Worth Resort.
Jonathan Weisgall, vice president of legislative and regulatory affairs for MidAmerian Energy Holdings Co., opened a panel discussion about new realities facing the renewable energy industry with a brief overview of some of those challenges.
“California, we’re the victim of success. A huge amount of renewable energy has come online in the last six years,” he said.
The success of solar energy in the middle of the day, when sunlight is abundant, is negatively impacting the natural gas industry, he said.
“So, you’ve got natural gas plants losing money right and left but they’re needed to integrate with renewables,” he said.
President Barack Obama’s goal to reduce the United States’ reliance on foreign energy and California’s mandate requiring publicly-owned utilities to increase their renewable energy resources to 33 percent by 2020 have fueled a flurry of renewable energy projects in the Imperial Valley. While these projects emit fewer greenhouse gasses, they have a higher price tag.
“Integration costs from wind and solar have been largely hidden from ratepayers. Something’s got to give there,” he said.
Weisgall suggested that California prioritize lower greenhouse gas emissions, at the lowest cost to customers while maintaining a reliable energy supply.
The cost of rooftop solar power units versus ground-mounted solar farms was addressed as well.
Martin Herman, chief executive officer and founder of 8minutenergy Renewables, said ground-mounted solar units cost about 8 to 11 cents per kilowatt hour over a ground-mounted solar farm’s 20-year purchase power agreement, while rooftop solar units cost some 15 to 25 cents per kilowatt-hour.
8minutenergy Renewables has a number of solar energy projects at various stages of development in the Imperial Valley.
Anticipated population growth in the West and increased renewable energy standards in Western states present opportunities for the Imperial Irrigation District, officials said.
“IID’s goal is to be a transmission source for future renewable energy development that powers the Southwest,” interim Energy Department Manager Carl Stills said.
Additionally, renewable energy sources are oftentimes built in remote locations, necessitating investment in electrical infrastructure.
IID Assistant Water Manager Tina Shields briefly discussed the tension among agricultural interests and industrial and renewable energy interests.
According to her presentation, the IID does not anticipate changes to non-agricultural water users as it revises its equitable water distribution policy.
For existing uses, water apportionment will be based on past use, while new uses will have their water apportionment based on anticipated use.
Armando Villa, Imperial County planning and development director, offered a few recommendations for renewable energy developers as they navigate the permitting process.
A realistic scope of project and construction schedule is crucial, he said, as is avoiding prime agricultural land, among other things.
The renewable energy summit concludes today, following discussions about the Salton Sea and geothermal exploration.
Staff Writer Antoine Abou-Diwan can be reached at 760-337-3454 or aabou-diwan@ivpressonline.com
To comment on this story click here to be directed to Facebook.
