3.5 Renewable Energy
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
DRAFT - Nye County ComprehensiveThJaster Plan Figure 6 shows the major operational sites for mineral extraction including, oil and natural gas operations. 3.5 Renewable Energy - Solar, Geothermal, Wind and Biomass With the increasing focus on renewable resources, clean energy is the fastest growing industry in the State of Nevada according to the Nevada Commission on Economic Development.6 Nevada is rich in renewable energy resources and leads the nation in geothermal and solar power potential, with suitable areas for wind power development in many portions of the state (U.S. Energy Information Administration).’ The state of Nevada has an aggressive Renewable Portfolio Standard (RI’S) that requires all public utilities to generate 25 percent of their electricity from renewable energy resources by 2025, with at least 6 percent from solar energy through 2016—2025 (Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency).8 With its abundant renewable energy resources and ample open land, Nye County is welhsuited for renewable energy projects (Figure 7). Nye County encourages responsible development of renewable energy projects. The sections below describe the most abundant renewable energy resources in Nyc County: solar, geothermal, wind and biomass. 3.5.1 Solar Energy Solar resources in Nye County are among the best in the nation for both concentrating solar power (CSP) and photovoltaic (PV) systems. In March 2010 Nye County performed an analysis titled “Suitability Analysis for Nyc County Solar Generation, Transmission and Related Support Facilities.” The suitability model included primary variables of solar resources, slope and land exclusions (federally protected lands). Secondary variables included proximity to flood and seismic hazards, proximity to roads and power transmission corridors, visual resources and desert tortoise and sage grouse habitats. The analysis results were presented in a map (Figure 8) showing the locations of “good, better and best” suitable lands in Nyc County for solar development. Currently, several solar projects are being considered for development in Nyc County. These projects continue to contribute an annual lease option fee per acre prior to development. Two solar projects, the Solar Millennium project in Amargosa Valley and the Solar Reserve project near Tonopah, received the final Record of Decision (ROD) from the BLM in 2010 to proceed with development. Nyc County supports the continued development of additional solar plants where they are deemed economically and environmentally desirable. Nevada Commission on Economic Development website at URL http:!/www.diversinevada.com/industry/ renewab Ic energy! Energy Information Administration — Nevada Quick Facts website at URL http://www,eia.gov/cfapps!state! state energyj,rofiles. cfm?sid=NV Database of State Incentives for Renewable and Efficiency (DSIRE) website at URL http://www.dsireusa.org/ June7,2011 Page32 ________________________________________ __________________ DRAFT - Nye County Comprehensive Plan I Master Plan II ill I,.,-’- ID n,nE NPME RowodMountain Mine Gabbs.Ire rr4 L NYE COUNTY --/ ‘.2 CinderCone PIt MAJOR MINES 4 IIWPfts AND 5 Gamebfrd Pit Leg FIELDS / S Pahrump Communily Pit i 11 MAP ID OIL FIELD NMIE • Industrial Mineral Mines 7 Currant • Metal Mines S Duckwster Creek 9 Trap Sprino ON Fields 10 Eagle Sprirs 11 Ghost Ranch C Nye County 12 Sand Dune Oil and Gas Leases 13 KateSprin9 14 Saris Spring • Active, Authorized and Pending Mines 15 BaconFiat 16 Grant Canyon r “fl ;P N l 0 25 50 * Q 4 Klometers ,‘. $ Miles - 6 - 0 25 50 44s Source: Hess, RH. and D. Davis, 2010. Nevada Active Mines and Energy - z Producers: Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Map 170, BLM Gaocornmunicator and USFS Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Schedule of ProposedAclion (1/1/11 - 3/31/11) Figure 6. Major Mines and Oil Fields Tune 7, 201! Page 33 ________________________ DRAFT - Nye County Comprehensive Plan I Master Plan II, l1.w NYE COUNTY RENEWABLE ENERGY Legend • Approved Solar Projects Solar Energy Applicalions - Pending so MIIiennrn LC Geothermal Leases - Authorized • Wind Energy Testing Applications -Authonzed 25 50 Kiloneters Figure?. Potential Renewable Energy Development Areas. June 7,2011 Page 34 DRAFT - Nye County Comprehensive Plan! Master Plan II 116W • Round Mountain Belmont • Manhsttsn SOLAR SUITABILITY • Approved Solar Projects fl Solar Energy Applications SOLAR SUITABILITY • Best Better C Good Unsuitable KWometers = Miles 50 1z 1 Figure 8. Solar Suitability in Nye County June 7, 201! Page 35 DRAFT - Nye County Comprehensive/Master Plan 3.5.2 Geothermal Resources Nevada has some of the richest geothermal resources in the world and is second in the nation in generating electricity from its geothermal power plants (U.S. Energy Information Administration). Nevada has the potential to become one of the most productive resource areas for geothermal energy generation. In a 2008 report, the USGS estimated that for identified geothermal resources in Nevada, during the next 30 years electrical power generation will range from 515 to 2,551 megawatts, with a mean probability of 1,391 megawatts. Additional electric power generation potentials are estimated for undiscovered geothermal resources and enhanced geothermal systems. A large portion of Nyc County is considered very favorable for development of enhanced geothermal systems. Several new geothennal plants are planned to meet Nevada’s renewable energy portfolio standard. Map 5 — Nye County Geothermal Resources shows that Gabbs, Railroad, Monitor and Hot Springs valleys within Nye County have the potential for high- temperature (>150°C) geothermal systems. The site in Nye County that is being investigated as a location for development of a production facility is the Darroughs Hot Springs Area. Currently, Nyc County receives $561,815 from geothermal lease payments annually. 3.5.3 Wind Resources Nyc County has abundant wind resources, although wind power is the youngest of the alternative energy sources used in the state (Nevada Commission on Economic Development). Areas with annual average wind speeds around 6.5 meters/second and greater at the 80 meter height are generally considered to have suitable wind resource for wind development. The DOE’s Wind Program and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) developed an updated wind resource map for the state of Nevada in January 2010. This map indicates that Nevada has wind resources consistent with utility-scale production. Good-to-excellent wind resources are located on the higher ridge crests throughout Nyc County and the state (Figure 9). 3.5.4 Biomass Biomass is a renewable source of energy derived from biological materials such as wood and waste used to generate electricity. Over many decades the expansion of pinyon-juniper woodlands in Nye County have resulted in ecosystems that are less resilient to fire, more prone to erosion, provide poorer habitat for wildlife, and are at higher risk for invasion of insects, noxious weeds and undesirable vegetation. These are the forests that are the subject of study for potential biomass utilization. June7,2011 Page3ó DRAFT - Nye County Comprehensive Plan I Master Plan ANNUAL AVERAGE WIND SPEED AT 80 METERS I Legend • Wind Energy Testing Applications Wind Speed (meters per second) •7.O — — — Source: Wind vngw.awstruewind.com Figure 9. Wind Resource Estimates June 7, 2011 Page 37 DRAFT - Nyc County Comprehensive/Master Plan 3.5.5 Goals, Objectives and Policies RENEWABLE ENERGY GOAL-I: To maximize the use of freely available alternative energy resources in Nyc County. Objective 1 - Promote the use of environmentally responsible alternative energy sources. Policy A. The county should examine alternate energy sources, such as wind and solar poter. and determine the feasibility and cost-effectiveness ofharnessing and utilizing these resources in county facilities. RENEWABLE ENERGY GOAL-!: To encourage new residential developments lo include environmentally responsible energy conservation measures- Objective 1 - Improve the level of energy efficiency in local building projects in order to reduce the overall demand for electric power and natural gas resources. Policy A. The county should endorse building practices that include energy efficiencies. RENEWABLE ENERGY GOAL-3: To promote energy and resource conservation in existing developments and facilities. Objective 1 - Demonstrate Nyc County’s commitment to energy and resource conservation and encourage others to follow the county’s example. Policy A- Retrofit existing count’.’ Jhciliues to he Illore energy and resource efficient Examples include installation of low arer- use toilets, installation of energy efficient windoiw and lighting, and efficient heating/cooling systems. Policy B. Implement education programs andpolicies that encourage consenation of enerK. RENEWABLE ENERGY GOAL-4: To provide for Nevada’s energy needs through coordinated resource planning and management between private enterprise and government to plan for development of energy resources. Objective 1 - Ensure federal land management agencies develop an inventory of possible sues for solar, wind, geothermal and biornass power facilities. Objective 2 - Inventory oil and gas resources and encourage development of those resources. Public lands with a high potential for oil or gas resources should not be withdrawn from exploration. Objective 3 - Plan future energy transmission corridors in conjunction with other uses on public and private lands. June7,2011 PageJ8 DRAFT - Nyc