By Robert L. Candiotti

Portugal is building the world's largest photovoltaic farm with 2,520 grandiose solar panels.

Portugal does not have its own petroleum, coal or natural gas. The country also is not interested in nuclear power.

Several years ago, Portugal decided to aggressively pursue development of renewable energy. "What seemed extravagant in 2004 when we decided to go for renewables now seems to be a very good decision," said Manuel Pinho, Portugal's economic minister.

The world's largest photovoltaic farm, in a region that perhaps has the most sunshine per square meter of anywhere in Europe, is described as being able to supply 45MW of electricity each year, powering 30,000 homes.

Pinho said the country will move away from oil and gas, and will generate 31 percent of all its energy from renewable sources by 2020. Portugal is developing solar power, hydropower and wind power.

Portugal's goal is to expand its renewable industries to match Denmark or Japan.

By Robert L. Candiotti

     From Webster's New Twentieth Century Dictionary Unabridged, Second Edition:

     pow er, noun.
     1. ability to do; capacity to act; capability of performing or producing.
     2. a specific ability or faculty.

     en er gy, noun.
     1. strength of expression; force of utterance; life; spirit; emphasis.
     2. internal or inherent power; potential force; capacity for vigorous action.

Sierra Pacific Resources, parent company to Nevada Power Co. and Sierra Pacific Power Co., has said that the two companies in the south and north sections of Nevada will now have the same name for business - NV Energy.

At a press conference on September 22, 2008, Michael Yackira, Sierra Pacific Resources' president and CEO stated, "The name NV Energy more accurately reflects the company's ongoing effort to be the premier provider of energy in Nevada for Nevadans." He added, "The energy needs of our state demand a singular focus and we will be better able to meet those needs if we are one company with one consistent vision for Nevada's energy future."

At the announcement of the unified name for the southern and northern entities of the corporation, Yackira also said the company is committed to the construction of a transmission line that will guide electrical power between northern and southern Nevada. 


  
        

By Robert L. Candiotti

Last month, during "renewable energy week" at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas - comprised of the National Clean Energy Summit and UNLV's Renewable Energy Symposium and associated tours - many speakers talked about the need for construction of new electrical transmission lines.

Jon Huntsman, UTAH's Governor, Thomas Fair, Sierra Pacific Resources renewable energy executive, Dina Titus, Democratic candidate for Las Vegas' 3rd Congressional district, and Dr. Oliver Hemmers, Director of UNLV's Office of Strategic Energy Programs, all mentioned that an expanded electrical transmission grid will be required for a successful future of renewable energy.

Now, the scope of this challenge has been further defined in Washington, D.C.

Today, at a hearing of the Senate Committee on Energy and National Resources, Nevada's U.S. Senator Harry Reid stated, "The West will need 7,500 miles of new transmission lines over the next decade to significantly expand renewable energy production."

The view is clearly widespread that burgeoning renewable energy industries cannot be accomplished without a vast, multi-state - as well as Federal - commitment for the erection of transmission lines over the next 10 years.

The defined time frame for transmission lines construction is basically identical to the time frame for establishment of Ivanpah Valley Airport in Southern Nevada. Ivanpah is projected to be completed around 2018.
 

By Robert L. Candiotti

Plans to construct 20 to 50 turbines with rotating blades extending up to 125 feet are being reviewed by Washoe County, Nevada, authorities.

Tim Carlson, a partner in the company seeking approvals - Nevada Wind LLC - says 50 turbines near Virginia Peak would provide 150 megawatts, enough electricity to supply 125,000 homes.

The company's plan is to sell the turbine-generated electricity to Sierra Pacific Power Co. Hearings are likely to take place early this fall.

Nevada Wind LLC says it plans to develop many other wind farms in Nevada, including sites near Ely and Pinoche. There are other firms' wind projects being promoted in Nevada, as well. Wind energy appears to have growth energy in the state.

According to a September 7, 2008, article in the Reno Gazette-Journal, written by Susan Voyles, "The U.S. Department of Energy estimates wind power could provide up to 20 percent of the nation's electricity by 2030."

Wind seems to be blowing in the direction to most likely provide a significant portion of Nevada's future mix of renewable energy resources.

By Robert L. Candiotti

I have just reread the speech that Majority Leader Harry Reid gave on August 27 at the Democratic National Convention.

Actually, it was my initial reading of the speech. The first time I followed it was when Senator Reid delivered it on stage in Denver.

It is a speech that apparently he himself wrote.The undiluted message is the history of petroleum use in the world is dark, and America simply cannot survive a permanent condition of being tied to foreign oil. He also expresses deep concern that there has been American presidential and vice-presidential affiliation with the oil industry - except for the Clinton presidency - for the past 28 years.

He calls Senator McCain's ballyhoo of off-shore drilling to be "snake oil." Reid says, "White House analysts, congressional analysts, and the oil industry all agree that off-shore drilling won't add one drop to our energy pool for at least ten years."

From all information available, it is clear Nevada's Sierra Pacific Resources power company and Senator Reid have no interest in nuclear power, and so-called "clean coal" has very tepid support. 

In this state, my state, Nevada, the future of energy will almost certainly focus on solar, geothermal and wind power advancements. Senator Reid's Democratic National Convention speech is just one more piece of evidence that his commitment to sustainable energy development is steady and secure.

I sense the future will be a time that reveals new expression of Nevada's libertarian personality, especially in the area of renewable energy.