Alternative Energy Gains Momentum In Texas
Renewable energy headlines agenda at annual meeting of energy professionals
Houston, TX — Alternative energy was on the agenda at the second annual meeting of the Texas Energy Professionals Association (TEPA) in Houston last month. Solar, wind and even nuclear energy professionals had their say at this gathering of Texas's electricity aggregators, brokers, and consultants (A/B/C).
Texas lags behind the rest of the country in the use of renewable generation. "71% of all U.S. electricity is produced from fossil fuels," said Bob King, president of Good Energy Associates, "but here in the Texas region, it's over 97%*." As fossil fuel supplies dwindle and governments tighten regulations on greenhouse gas emissions, Texas is compelled to take a closer look at renewable resources for electric generation.
Jigar Shah, Chief Strategy Officer of Sun Edison, debunked commonly held myths about solar energy. "Approximately 10% of U.S. electricity needs could be addressed with solar power," said Shah. "Solar energy is predictable, and its peak production coincides with peak demand periods for cooling." Another perceived barrier to the use of solar energy is the amount of space needed for the solar panels, but according to Shah, over 250 million square feet of new roof space is constructed each year, supporting far more than the 20 gigawatts of solar needed to meet 100% of incremental peak load growth in the U.S.
Texas leads the nation in the generation of wind energy. "We have 549 MW of generation at four locations in Texas," said Darrell Hayslip of Airtricity. "In 2005, wind machines in the United States generated a total of 17.8 billion kWh per year of electricity, enough to serve more than 1.6 million households."
Nuclear power is back in the spotlight for the first time in decades, thanks to what Mark Herlach of Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan calls "the perfect storm for nuclear energy." Nuclear energy has always been essential, generating 16% of the world's electricity. Currently, 104 nuclear plants supply 20% of U.S. electricity. "There are three primary drivers for an increased interest in nuclear power," says Herlach. "High oil and natural gas prices, global warming, and energy security." Nuclear energy technology is mature and reliable, and nuclear fuel costs per kWh are low.
The professionals of the Texas A/B/C community recognize the growing interest in alternative energy sources and seize upon opportunities like the TEPA conference to become more knowledgeable about the latest trends and technologies in the field of renewable energy. Power customers interested in choosing green energy for their facilities can rely on the expertise of the A/B/C channel to help select the best energy options.
*percentage of actual production in ERCOT region June 2005 through May 2006
About TEPA
The Texas Electricity Professionals Association (TEPA) is a self-regulating body aimed at standardizing processes and ensuring that aggregators, brokers, and consultants (A/B/C) maintain an acceptable level of market knowledge and responsibility while transacting in the deregulated electricity market in Texas.
SOURCE: TEPA