Study Confirms Renewable Energy Resources Plentiful For Development in Cross-Border San Diego Region

Contact: Renee Haines
SDSU Marketing & Communications
Office (619) 594-4298
rhaines@mail.sdsu.edu

SAN DIEGO, Tuesday, August 2, 2005 – San Diego State University researchers joined energy experts from both sides of the border to produce a new report Tuesday describing the San Diego region as rich in potential renewable energy resources.

Although it has long been assumed that renewable energy resources such as solar power could be developed in the sunny region, no technical study to date had measured the potential extent of solar, wind, geothermal and other electricity-generating alternatives to traditional (non-renewable) energy sources such as oil or gas.

The new report estimates that developing one or a combination of renewable energy resources could contribute significantly to meeting peak power demands. The report, for example, estimates that it could be possible to generate more than 5,000 megawatts of electricity from solar panels developed in San Diego County alone during periods of peak use. The peak usage of San Diego Gas & Electric, which serves more than 3.3 million consumers in San Diego and southern Orange counties, is approximately 4,000 megawatts.

Remote regions of San Diego and Imperial counties could add another 35,000 megawatts to the potential solar power estimate. Developing wind systems could produce another 1,400 to 1,500 megawatts, and developing geothermal power could generate potentially half of today’s maximum power demand in the San Diego region. The report also cited smaller, but still important roles for potential biomass and hydroelectric energy development.

“This report provides a starting point for the next logistical steps in renewable energy development for the San Diego region, including policy formulation and implementation of renewable development,” said report co-author Alan Sweedler, a physics professor, director of the Center for Energy Studies and assistant vice president of international programs at San Diego State.

Sweedler is part of the San Diego Regional Renewable Energy Study Group that also comprises representatives from Universidad Autonoma de Baja California (UABC) in Mexico, San Diego Gas & Electric, the San Diego Regional Energy Office, Rohy Consulting Associates, Resley Consulting and Tanaka Research and Consulting. Tanaka Research is headed by Sean Tanaka, principal energy research scientist at the San Diego State Center for Energy Studies.

“The consortium shows how major organizations are working together to deal with energy issues, and demonstrates San Diego State’s commitment to apply research to pressing community issues, especially in our unique, bi-national community,” Sweedler said.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy also participated in the 18-month study that produced the 232-page report, “Potential for Renewable Energy in the San Diego Region.”

In a state all too familiar with the threat of brown-outs and black-outs, California has demanded that utilities rely more on locally available, less polluting renewable energy resources in future decades. Without addressing costs or regulatory issues, the new report pointed out that significant wind, solar and geothermal resources could be developed in the San Diego region – including northern Baja, California – by 2020.

“We found significant renewable energy resources in Baja, California, which is a good thing for residents of Baja, California, and California,” said Margarito Quintero-Nunez, a professor of engineering at Universidad Autonoma de Baja California – a long-time partner with San Diego State in cross-border research and education initiatives. “We now need to put in place the financing and regulatory mechanisms to develop these clean sources of energy to the benefit of people on both sides of the border,” Quintero-Nunez said.

The report stressed that renewable resources must become part of a balanced portfolio of energy options for the region.

“Developing renewable energy is crucial to providing our customers with the resources they’ll need in the 21st century, though we recognize they cannot be counted on to meet the region’s total needs because they are not always available,” said David Geiger, vice president of transmission and distribution for San Diego Gas & Electric.

“This landmark study puts a solid stake in the ground for renewables potential,” said Scott Anders, director of policy and planning for the San Diego Regional Energy Office.

San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Since it was founded in 1897, the university has grown to offer bachelor’s degrees in 81 areas, master’s degrees in 72 areas and doctorates in 16 areas. SDSU’s nearly 33,000 students participate in an academic curriculum distinguished by direct faculty contact and an increasing international emphasis that prepares students for a global future. For more information, visit www.sdsu.edu.

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