Electricity Generation
Solar Power in the Limelight - Part Two in a Series on Energy

Blame it on the likes of Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Edison, whose ingenious research and discoveries gave birth to an avalanche of electrical products that we humans can no longer live without, not to mention all those gadgets – lots and lots of gadgets. Ben and Tom would never have dreamed man’s insatiable desire for “stuff” would result in such a pervasive problem for the planet. In the 20th century, man grew ever more wastefully dependant on electricity, and providing power to a suddenly green-leaning society is proving to be a challenge of great proportions. No one intends to willingly give up an air conditioner or similar creature comforts and a strong environmental push toward electric powered cars has now magnified the issues.

Being somewhat of a conservative, when I hear talk of energy independence, I have a difficult time understanding why we don’t put more of the money we have (indiscriminately) borrowed from our grandchildren toward utilizing our country’s enormous reserves of natural gas or developing positive uses for the carbon emissions from power plants that utilize our huge reserves of [c-o-a-l]. Surely human intelligence has advanced to the point it can resolve the environmental issues surrounding that black rock. How difficult can that be compared to harnessing the atom?

Of course, we need to continue aggressively pursuing our “new-found ability” to commercialize energy from wind, sunlight and that green slime called algae. So armed with the outcry of global warming, our leaders in Washington are telling us yes, we can do this now – we can produce our energy requirements from renewable resources, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, reduce our carbon footprint, help slow the global warming trend to which man has no doubt contributed and create more jobs in the process.

Yes we can, but understand that fueling the green revolution can be a very expensive proposition. New technology is running rampant but practical application is still a pricey undertaking fraught with delays and learning curves. Building a commercial power generating plant that utilizes sunlight instead of coal to propel a steam-driven conventional turbine requires a major private investment. No problem, Washington has promised loan guarantees to support private investment in renewable energy options.

BUT, perhaps this state put the cart before the burro. New Mexico set a timetable for increasing the percentage of renewable energy feeding its grid. The federal loan guarantee process providing the umbrella to encourage private financing of relatively new technology, however, can take too long for meeting state deadlines. The technology might be in place, but without the guarantees, it’s a mute point.

This was precisely the case at Santa Teresa, New Mexico. NRG Solar had the permitting in place to build a 92-megawatt solar thermal generating plant using eSolar technology developed for a smaller operating plant in California. El Paso Electric had contracted to purchase the power generated by the plant, which would help it meet the stringent New Mexico requirements.

As the project progressed, it became apparent the process of obtaining federal loan guarantees would require more time than state regulations allowed and neither the state nor the federal government budged. Therefore, a quick project change occurred last summer to replace the high tech solar thermal plant with a smaller output photovoltaic plant. Southern New Mexico will still have a source of electricity derived from clean, renewable solar energy, but the new plant will have the potential to produce only 20 megawatts of power rather than the envisioned 92. To make up the difference, El Paso Electric will be allowed to purchase wind-generated power from a source near Amarillo.

New Mexico lost an opportunity to be a real leader in solar power generation, El Paso Electric lost an opportunity for 72 megawatts of power readily available when it is most needed during hot summer afternoons, and it must purchase that 72 megawatts from Texas sources instead of New Mexico. The solar thermal plant will be built, but unfortunately, it will be built somewhere other than New Mexico. As might be expected, China has contracted for 2000 megawatts using the eSolar technology; there is a plant on tap for Mexico; and Spain is adding the solar thermal technology to its already enormous portfolio of renewable energy sources.

I am disappointed that New Mexico lost an element of its bright energy future due to a lack of response from the federal government and perhaps even the state. Conversely, I am proud of the fact that Santa Teresa will soon have a cutting-edge photovoltaic plant built without the help of federal loan guarantees.

The Santa Teresa Plant will be similar to a 21-megawatt plant now operating in Blythe, California that utilizes 350,000 2’ x 4’ solar panels spread across 200 acres of arid, non-agricultural land. It has the potential to serve around 17,000 homes and displace 12,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, the equivalent of taking 2,200 cars off the road.

Both New Mexico gubernatorial candidates responded to the Santa Teresa issue as it was presented to them by Las Cruces magazine. Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish stated, "I am a strong supporter of renewable energy development in New Mexico – especially solar – and have been disappointed that the Santa Teresa project in its original form has not been able to get off the ground. In addition to federal funding issues, I believe it is also important that the proposed technology be well proven for a project of this size as we plan future utility-scale solar development. I recognize the immense potential for solar development in south-central New Mexico and as governor will push for continued development of this renewable resource through utility-scale generating and transmission projects as well as expansion of special-assessment districts to allow individuals to more affordably outfit their homes with direct-generation photovoltaic technology. Not only does this mean cheaper energy in the long run, it also means thousands of jobs for New Mexicans in an exciting new industry. As governor, I will fight to make sure solar is a growing part of New Mexico's energy portfolio into the future."

Dona Ana County District Attorney and gubernatorial candidate Susana Martinez stated: “New Mexico can be a leader in energy production, but we must ensure that we’re doing so in an economically sound manner. Our state has abundant resources that we can take advantage of, from sun, to wind, to biomass, and to our oil and gas sector. If we want utility companies to use cleaner technologies, we need to provide them with the incentives to make their use more cost effective, while at the same time not threatening the sustainability of energy necessary for businesses to grow and hire.”

Do your part: El Paso Electric is also required by the State of New Mexico to cut overall power requirements in the region through efficiency and load management. This is where each of us can make a difference by committing to conserve electrical energy. Please do your part – it helps your wallet and it helps the planet.