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Presented by Michael Saunders, Senior Deputy A8orney General
Disclaimer: The views presented are those of the presenter, not necessarily those of the Nevada A8orney General’s Office or the Bureau of Consumer ProtecFon.
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Great Interest in Renewables Many look toward renewable energy to address many of the country’s current problems: Job creaFon and economic recovery
Global climate change
ProtecFng our naFonal security interests
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Renewable PorMolio Standards
Renewable PorMolio Standards (RPS) promote renewable energy development.
What is an RPS?
An RPS places an obligaFon upon an electricity provider to supply a minimum percentage of electricity from renewable energy sources.
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NRS 704.7821 An electricity provider must generate, acquire or save electricity from renewable energy or energy efficiency measures in the following percentages: 9% in 2007-‐2008; 12% in 2009-‐2010; 15% in 2011-‐2012; 18% in 2013-‐2014; 20% in 2015-‐2019; 22% in 2020-‐2024; and 25% for 2025 and each calendar year therea_er.
Solar at least 5% for each calendar year up to and including 2015; and 6% for 2016 and each calendar year therea_er.
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Measurement
Compliance with the RPS is measured in terms of PorMolio Energy Credits (PECs).
One PEC represents one kilowa8 hour (kwh) of renewable energy generated or one kwh of energy saved through an energy efficiency program.
PEC mulFpliers apply under certain circumstances. Example: a 2.4 mulFplier can be applied to each kwh of energy generated by solar photovoltaic systems. (NAC 704.8927 )
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Demand Side Management
An electric provider may comply with the RPS with energy savings achieved through energy efficiency (DSM) measures:
Not more than 25 percent of the amount may be based on energy efficiency measures.
At least 50 percent of that amount must be saved from energy efficiency measures installed at service locaFons of residenFal customers of the electric provider, unless a different percentage is approved by the PUC.
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Annual RPS Report Requirement
Each year, electric providers are required to file reports providing informaFon relaFng to the acFons taken to comply with the RPS.
To be filed with the PUC on or before April 1st of each year.
PUC Staff invesFgates and reports to PUC whether electric provider has complied.
If electric provider is found not in compliance, PUC invesFgates whether non-‐compliance should be excused or whether administraFve penalFes should be assessed.
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The Sources of Renewable Energy
The sources of renewable energy that can be used to fulfill the RPS include: geothermal,
solar, wind, waterpower, and biomass.
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Geothermal Geothermal energy is heat energy from deep inside the earth contained in underground reservoirs of steam and hot water.
The hot water or steam is extracted from geothermal reservoirs and is used to drive turbines in order to produce electricity.
Generally the least expensive form of renewable energy.
Base-‐load source of supply, meaning it is a conFnuous, always-‐on source of energy.
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Solar
Two dominant solar technologies: Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Concentrated Solar Power (CSP).
Solar photovoltaic systems capture and convert sunlight into electricity.
Concentrated solar systems produce electric power by using mirrors to convert the sun’s energy into high temperature steam which can then turn a turbine to generate electricity.
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Wind
A wind energy system converts the kineFc energy of the wind into electrical energy that can be put to pracFcal use.
Development of wind generaFon in Nevada has lagged behind solar and geothermal, due in part to opposiFon from the military based on the noFon that wind turbines interfere with radar.
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The Benefits of Renewable Energy
Global climate change
No fuel price volaFlity, such as can exist with natural gas based electrical generaFon.
Minimizes price uncertainty with respect to future carbon dioxide regulaFon.
Water needs for solar and wind resources are minimal when compared to coal and natural gas plants.
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Impediments to Development
Load (or customer demand) to be served is o_en not ideally situated in close proximity to the resources.
For example, much of state’s geothermal resources are in the northern part of the state, while much of Nevada’s electrical load is located in southern Nevada.
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Conclusion The past decade was an interesFng one in the area of energy policy.
The present decade is shaping up to be perhaps even more interesFng: Renewable Energy Exports Federal RPS Climate Change LegislaFon
Stay tuned! It will be interesFng and exciFng!
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RPS Resources • NRS 704.7801 -‐ .7828 NAC 704.8831 -‐ .8937 PUCN Web Site -‐ pucweb1.state.nv.us/pucn/
On “Dockets” page, one can search for prior RPS filings by Docket Number, such as: 11-‐04001 10-‐04002
09-‐03034 08-‐04002 07-‐04005
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Thank You!
Contact InformaFon: Michael Saunders, Senior Deputy A8orney General Nevada A8orney General’s Office 555 East Washington, Suite 3900 Las Vegas, Nevada 89101 Tel: 702-‐486-‐3793 E-‐mail: [email protected] Linked In: h8p://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeltsaunders
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