Public Power - November 2008 - (Page 36)

Getting to 20 by ’10 needed for the 2020 goal. There is no transmission available in the Salton Sea area, for example, which contains geothermal resources. “Geothermal is the “That is a difficult balance to strike,” said Nahai. But the LADWP has committed to doing just that. “We are working with the local community to en- “Geothermal is the only renewable energy source that can provide baseload power.” only renewable energy source that can provide baseload power,” said Nahai. “And it’s an indispensable part of our portfolio for the future.” Getting that power to Los Angeles and other urban areas will require the construction of new transmission lines. The LADWP finds itself at the forefront of a dialog that Nahai believes will sweep the state. It centers around the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet utility responsibilities to the planetary environment while ensuring that transmission is built in a way that protects the local environment. sure that we do as little damage as possible as we pursue our quest of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.” Increasingly, utilities will have to deal with this issue because a number of renewable resources have no access to transmission. Preventing a price explosion In August 2008, the LADWP was meeting 8 percent of energy needs, and by the end of this year, it will be at the 10 percent mark, said David Nahai. “And we have done this without affecting people’s pocketbooks.” With 80 turbines, the Pine Tree Wind Farm in Tehapachi, Calif., will be a key source of renewable energy for Los Angeles. Photo courtesy LADWP. Need Direction? • 6 to 8 week delivery • Not subject to shortages • Renewable resource • Easily modified in the field • T&D Structures thru 165’ • Unguyed angle, tangent, switch & substation structures Engineered laminated wood structures from LWS will lead you down the best road to successful project completion on-time and under budget. 800-949-3526 www.lwsinc.com Laminated Wood Systems, Inc. Seward, Nebraska The utility is considering various ways of protecting ratepayers from a sudden price surge as the result of the state’s RPS. One way of preventing a price explosion is through an alternative payment system. Such a system would enable the LADWP to pay into a state fund in lieu of buying power from a particular seller. Such strategies ensure that the seller’s prices are kept in check. Under such a system, the fund would have to be dedicated to a particular use, such as production of renewables. “We can’t just create one side of the market without giving adequate thought and planning to the other side,” said Nahai. “We can’t mandate the supply side without addressing the demand side. ❚ Alice Clamp is an energy writer in Lovettsville, Va., and a regular contributor to Public Power. 36 NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2008 PUBLIC POWER http://www.lwsinc.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Public Power - November 2008

Public Power - November 2008 Contents Perspective 10 Questions Capturing Knowledge Before It Retires Jackson’s GIS Search Keeping a Job Journal Japan Tackles the Kyoto Protocol Getting to 20 by 10 Damless Hydro Power Earthquake: The Hidden Disaster For Engineers Safety For Governing Boards DEED Hometown Connections Parting Shot

Public Power - November 2008

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