Boulder City's 'Green' Power Push
Dec 26 - Las Vegas Review - Journal
Boulder City, the community established for the builders of Hoover Dam, is
securing its claim as a hot spot for renewable energy, including solar
power.
Sempra Generation, a subsidiary of San Diego-based Sempra Energy, has
announced the completion of the 10-megawatt El Dorado Solar Project, a
second utility-scale solar plant there.
Acciona Solar Power, a majority owned subsidiary of Spanish giant Acciona
Energy, started commercial operation of a 64-megawatt solar project called
Nevada Solar One in June 2007 in Boulder City.
Hoover Dam, which straddles the Nevada-Arizona border, ranks as the state's
biggest renewable-energy project. The dam, which was completed in 1936,
generates 2,074 megawatts of hydroelectric power from the Colorado River.
Sempra's project is in the Eldorado Valley, which also is the site of
Acciona's project. Acciona's plant, however, uses the sun to heat a fluid
that boils water, spinning generators that create electricity.
Sempra's plant uses solar photovoltaic technology that converts sunlight
into electricity. The energy from sunlight is transferred to electrons that
become part of the electric current.
In addition to bragging rights, Boulder City gets revenue from the solar
projects. The city uses lease revenue from land occupied by the power plants
to boost its budget, Mayor Roger Tobler said.
The city has established an energy zone in the Eldorado Valley, which offers
both abundant sunlight and access to two power substations.
"We can have a clean energy source that's good for us and the West," City
Manager Vicki Mayes said. "We see this as our little niche."
Tobler agreed: "We're kind of leaders in the country (in solar power). We've
got a lot of exciting things out there."
City officials have received proposals for developing additional solar power
plants on 1,100 acres in the energy zone, a 2,000-acre solar energy
expansion area and potentially a 2-megawatt solar project that would go up
at a wastewater plant. The last project would provide electricity for the
municipal electric utility.
Boulder City is reviewing proposals for both solar thermal projects and
photovoltaic projects, but the mayor favors solar photovoltaic technology,
because it requires virtually no water. Solar thermal plants do consume
water, a limited resource in the valley.
In addition, Sempra Chief Executive Michael Allman said photovoltaic
technology is a less-expensive source of power than solar thermal projects.
Sempra Generation next year may start expanding its photovoltaic plant to 60
megawatts, Allman said.
Acciona also has been discussing expanding its solar power generation
capacity in Boulder City.
Nevada Solar One sells all of its current output to NV Energy, but Sempra's
solar project at Boulder City calls for selling all of its current power
production to Pacific Gas and Electric.
California state law requires utilities to obtain 20 percent of their
electricity from renewable sources, such as solar power, by 2010.
"(California utilities) are hungry (for renewable power). No doubt about
it," Allman said.
Solar energy developers face one big hurdle, the credit crunch. Although
most large-scale projects have long-term power sale contracts with
utilities, it's become increasingly difficult to secure financing because of
the credit crunch, Allman said.
"It's gotten worse," Allman said. "It's very difficult generally to obtain
financing for anything in the current market."
Contact reporter John G. Edwards at jedwards@reviewjournal.com or
702-383-0420.
(c) 2008 Las Vegas Review - Journal. Provided by ProQuest
LLC. All rights Reserved. |