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I have just completed a two-day "Energy Excursion" sponsored by the Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce. And I have never encountered more auspicious signs for a carbon-reduced energy future. The Winning Entry in the student-built Electric Car Endurance Race at Milford HS
Over the two days, we rode a bus and donned hardhats to visit and learn from: a developer of a large- scale solar project, a coal-fired power plant, two geothermal plants from different decades, a century-old hydroelectric plant, an energy and gas storage facility just being launched, a large wind farm, and a renewable energy fair at a local high school complete with a very cool inter-school endurance race of student-built electric cars. It's impossible for me to itemize everything I learned, let alone catalog the onslaught of impressions and emotions from this trip through the spectacularly beautiful natural formations of southern Utah. But I do want to share some of my major take-aways:
Industrial-scale renewable energy is all about rural communities. Large solar and wind farms are not going to show up in suburban America. The conversation is not complete if these communities are not treated as the critical partners and stakeholders that they are.
Renewable energy production really is less labor-intensive than more traditional sources. On the one hand, that means some business creativity is needed in the local communities to create new employment opportunities as part of the transition to clean energy.
First Wind Milford Wind Farm
On the other hand, a representative of the Beaver County Commissioners office told us that they have had to re-think their idea that "economic development" should be measured solely by job creation. In fact, the renewable energy sector is capital-intensive and has brought in substantial tax revenue without a commensurate increase in demand for services. They credit their "5 within 50" (5 renewable energy plants within a 50-mile radius: solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, and biogas) with their ability to weather the last recession essentially unscathed. One project alone is bringing $5M in revenue- a huge benefit for a quite sparsely populated county!
Diversification brings economic and infrastructure resilience. Real progress is not from one source - it's from a mix of energy efficiency and renewables; from intermittent and steady-state sources; from production and storage; from mixing solar with wind or geothermal to maximize the productivity of the land.
The folks in Beaver County get it - they realize that having a community that is inspired by renewables, that is willing to partner, and that has the natural resources to support development is a marketable differentiator. And they carry it right into their high schools, where they are producing graduates who are educated and excited about having skills in a growing industry. We couldn't help smiling as we heard about the "windkids" from Milford HS who have been hired to work with First Wind.
The technology is the easy part - especially given how quickly it is evolving. The economics are more complicated. But oy, vey - permitting, land rights, water rights… this is not for the faint of heart and definitely not for the impatient!
Just like everything in sustainability - when people experience the "wins", they want more. And as the infrastructure- land expanses, transmission lines - grows, it becomes even more attractive to keep investing.
We always hear about "leaking carbon", and many wonder if a single state's regulations just mean the carbon emissions will move to its neighbors. But California is buying its energy from out-of-state, and it doesn't want coal. These commitments are creating a driver for a shift in energy sources, which in turn drive availability and local demand (see "it's self-perpetuating").
Do not underestimate the ability to geek out over medium enthalpy, binary cycle technology, or marvel that the apparently lazy-looking wind blades are moving at well over 100 MPH at the ends.
It's happening. It's creating opportunity. It's nerdy. How could I not be inspired?
To the SLC Chamber, thank you for this opportunity to see your beautiful state and give me so much encouragement for our future. To all the business leaders who gave their time, took us on tours, and loaned us hard hats, thank you for helping me experience the personal side of renewable energy. And a special thanks to Vance, our fearless leader at EMC's Utah Center of Excellence, who reminds us that true leadership comes from an ability to envision the possibilities.
Vance - VP, GM of EMC Utah COE
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