SUN EDITORIAL:

Forward-thinking approach

NV Energy on right track by considering possible solar energy plants in Southern Nevada

Sunday, March 8, 2009 | 3:07 a.m.

NV Energy’s announcement Tuesday that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with the subsidiaries of two global companies for potential development of solar power facilities in Southern Nevada is welcome news for customers of the state’s electric utility company.

As reported by Mary Manning of the Las Vegas Sun, NV Energy is joining forces with Solar Millennium of Berkeley, Calif., and MAN Ferrostaal Inc. of Houston. The initial project they are considering is a 250-megawatt plant in Nye County that would include thermal storage. That technology would enable the plant to produce energy after the sun goes down during the summer, when electricity demand reaches its peak. Under a best-case scenario, the plant could be completed by 2013.

The timing of this announcement could not be better. We now have a president and a Congress that have openly embraced the development of solar energy and have offered incentives to businesses to encourage their participation.

The Public Utilities Commission, which regulates Nevada’s utilities, should do everything in its power to help make solar power facilities a reality. Gov. Jim Gibbons and the Nevada Legislature also should work together on a strategy that maximizes renewable energy development in this state.

Nevada has wasted too much time debating the merits of the coal-fired technologies of yesteryear that pollute the environment and contribute to global warming. It is time to focus our attention on renewable energy resources that are appropriate for the 21st century. The development of those resources is not only good for the environment, but it also is a way to generate jobs.

We would encourage NV Energy to build on the momentum of its announcement by embracing renewable energy resources in a way that makes it the envy of fellow utilities nationwide.

Discussion: 5 comments so far…

By Bighorn

3/8/09 at 9:50 a.m.

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A 250 megawatt CSP plant in Amargosa Valley will require 6 acre feet of water per megawatt. Most of the water rights are appropriated up there. (unless Harry Reid can get the feds to take the water rights) It will simply never happen which is a good thing. The ground water that would be wasted is vital to local agriculture and unique wetlands with endemic wildlife. The energy will need to be backed up by natural gas to make this economically feasible. This CSP plant will not be able to run at night all year. That will only be for limited days in the summer. That is hopeful thinking. The Sun reporters have a nice cushy view of what these projects should do, but don't really seem to understand the technology very well. Investing in such a boondoggle would be a true waste of money and your power bills will go way up. With all the rooftops in Vegas, open parking lots and other vacant space, a feed in tarif system of rooftop solar could produce far more energy, not raise our power bills to pay for the outdated technology of CSP solar. Power would also not have to be lost the long journey of costly powerlines. This would eliminate the need for Reid's recent eminent domain bill and it would actually be "green". There is an environmentally friendly way to use renewables and the way the Sun is getting behind.

CSP plants like this are actually backward thinking. www.basinandrangewatch.org
By jfnance32

3/8/09 at 10:40 a.m.

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Solar and wind can not provide reliable 24/7 energy.

Therefore, we will have to have reliable duplicate power sources from reliabe 24/7 energy like coal, natural gas and nuclear.

Solar and wind are expensive because they do not run 24/7 and you have to run power lines to scatter remote regions.

They are going to raise taxes on coal and natural gas.

Since they are not building coal and Obama hates nuclear then they will have to build natural gas to provide the reliable 24/7 power.

Natural gas has big swings in prices.

All these actions will radically increase our power bills and all the cost of goods and services.

When this happens, I am sure all the libs will say, "Who me? I dunno known nothing."
By captainamerica

3/8/09 at 10:44 a.m.

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In a perfect world: Build the pipeline from the ocean, helping lower rising sea levels, (about the same distance from white Pine and Lincoln counties,) over the San Gabriel Mountains (reverse of what Mullholland did). Desalinate the water and use the steam to generate power by Solar. Reclaim the steam through a condensor. Sell the electricity and water to LA and LV. Reeclaim the salt and minerals from the seawater and sell them to Industry.
Coal emits massive amounts of CO2. Algae needs massive amounts of C02. Algae can grow on any kind of soil in any kind of water (salt, fresh, brackish, high alkalai.) Algae produces 240 times more ethanol per acre than corn. Grow the Algae next to coal plants, piping the C02 into the algae growing fields. Is that to fu**ing simple?
By getalife

3/8/09 at 11:08 a.m.

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captain...., what have you been smoking?
By captainamerica

3/8/09 at 6:52 p.m.

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Get A Life. You must have flunked Physics in High School. Or did you even graduate?