NCET

Despite Nevada’s economic woes during 2009, our state has made significant progress in one particular area that’s sure to speed the state’s economic recovery and stability in the long run: environmental technology, also known as clean or green technology.

Nevada is at the top of the charts when it comes to geothermal energy use alone, ranking number one in geothermal watts per customer. In 1997, Nevada was one of the first states to have a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). According to NV Energy, Nevada now has one of the most aggressive portfolio standards in the nation. By 2015, 20 percent of our energy will come from a combination of renewables and conservation programs. The key drivers: an abundance of renewable resources in the form of geothermal, solar and wind energy.

NV Energy has 500 MW of wind energy planned by 2012 and more than 1,000 MW of solar, geothermal wind, biomass and small hydro generation slated to come online by 2012. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Nevada ranks second in geothermal resources among the lower 48 states. An assessment of Nevada’s resources by the Geothermal Task Force of the Western Governors Association Clean and Diversified Energy Initiative showed the commercial geothermal potential for Nevada ranged from 1,488 megawatts to 2,895 megawatts.

What’s driving innovation? A great example is NV Energy’s long-term contract to buy the power generated by Nevada Solar One, a 64-megawatt power plant developed by Acciona Solar Power, which holds the distinction of being the largest solar plant to be developed anywhere in the world in the past 15 years. In Southern Nevada, the Nellis Air Force Base Solar Power System is home to the largest solar photovoltaic installation in North America. A joint project between NV Energy, the U.S. Air Force, MMA Renewable Ventures and SunPower Corp., this 14 megawatt system generates more than 30 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean electricity each year.

Businesses are also getting on the renewable band wagon. One shining example in the North is the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino in Reno, which invested a reported $8.1 million in renewable geothermal energy. The Peppermill installed a reinjection well, which will heat the entire resort’s water and mechanical heat via geothermal energy.

So who are the companies making renewable magic happen? We’re quite fortunate that Nevada is home to several cutting-edge companies who are taking environmental technology to the next level.

ElectraTherm, Inc. has pioneered technology to capture readily available waste heat to generate fuel-free, emissions-free energy. Based in Carson City, ElectraTherm is home to the “ElectraTherm Green Machine,” the world’s first commercially-viable Waste Heat Generator that uses patented fuel-free, emission-free heat and pressure recovery technology.

Mariah Power is best known for development of its Windspire wind turbine, which allows users to create clean energy from the natural wind. The Windspire generates power when wind blows against its vertical airfoils, causing them to spin. This power is then converted to AC electricity and is immediately available for use. The 1.2 kW Windspire will produce approximately 2000 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year in 12 mph average winds. Reno’s Ormat Technologies, Inc. is a leading, vertically-integrated company dedicated to providing solutions for geothermal power, recovered energy generation (REG) and remote power. The majority of Ormat’s products and business activities are based on its original Ormat Energy Converter (OEC), a field-proven technology for utilization of low and medium temperature heat sources. Ormat has successfully supplied approximately 1200 MW of geothermal power plants, based on its proprietary technology, logging millions of hours of operating experience.

There are numerous “pros” to investing in renewable energy in Nevada. Already an exceptional venue for starting or expanding a business, Nevada has taken the lead in encouraging the development of environmental technology by offering a Renewable Energy Abatement for companies involved in production of energy from renewable sources. Additional tax credits are also attainable for qualified projects.

While we’ve all learned there’s no such thing as a quick fix for our economy, there’s much to be said for betting on Nevada’s role as an environmental technology leader into the future. It may very well be the wind that sets our economy sailing back in the right direction.