The project is designed to create a new, clean energy solution to lessen dependence on current traditional power generation. It will merge renewable technologies into a scalable replicable package of 'microgrids' that can be located in rural and urban areas. As mentioned, it will incorporate smart grid controls including smart meters and other systems that will help reduce costs and increase energy flexibility.
Some facts about America's and New Mexico's energy:
FACT: New Mexico is projected to become an oil-importing state in 2015.
FACT: About 50% of all electricity generated in the USA is from coal.
FACT: Coal emits high levels of CO2 and sulphur when burned.
FACT: Our national power grid is over 100 years old and based on old technology.
FACT: The U.S. demand for electricity will increase by 30% in the year 2020.
HISTORICAL ATTEMPTS TO CREATE A STATEWIDE, STATE-LED PROJECT
In the summer of 2008, the Governor's Office and the State of New Mexico Economic Development Department along with the Departments of Workforce Solutions, Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources and Environment met with representatives of the national labs, the research community and with New Mexico universities to set up Working Groups to begin work on what the State called its ”New Mexico Green Grid Initiative” (or NMGGI). The Working Groups met regularly over the course of many months to analyze technologies and systems and to prepare a strategy for realizing the project. When the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) became law and $4.3 billion was set aside to develop a modern smart grid powered by renewable energy sources for the U.S., the project took an important turn.
With that decision by the Federal Government taken, the size, scope and potential funding of the NMGGI also changed. All Working Groups met to prepare a 'Gap Analysis' that determined what equipment, technologies and systems were available in the State so that the State could begin to identify potential New Mexico suppliers.
At the same time, talks began with New Mexico municipalities and utilities to encourage their collaboration and gather information on which types of micro-grid projects would be ideal for their areas of service. On the basis of these talks, five possible projects/partnerships were identified.
An intense effort then began to prepare a comprehensive grant submission, headed by Los Alamos National Lab and assisted by Sandia National Laboratories for DOE grants. The Initiative team submitted its proposal to the DOE in the summer of 2009.
Unfortunately, in the fall of 2009, the state-led NMGGI’s bid to obtain important Federal funding for a statewide, state-led project was rejected by the DOE. The Japanese Government, however, decided to proceed on its own and invest $20 million in the project with two partners: Los Alamos County and Mesa del Sol.
It is important for our country (and our state) to integrate renewable energy into our energy 'mix.' The New Mexico project will, hopefully, over the course of a two to three-year period reveal how these technologies work in 'real time' situations and form the basis for replication of the micro-grids on a wider scale.
If you wish to contact the State of New Mexico to find out what the State is doing on the project, you can log on the State's Economic Development Department's site (www.edd.state.nm.us). If you want more information on the individual sites, please contact Los Alamos County (losalamosnm.us) or Mesa del Sol (mesadelsolnm.com).
Some facts about America's and New Mexico's energy:
FACT: New Mexico is projected to become an oil-importing state in 2015.
FACT: About 50% of all electricity generated in the USA is from coal.
FACT: Coal emits high levels of CO2 and sulphur when burned.
FACT: Our national power grid is over 100 years old and based on old technology.
FACT: The U.S. demand for electricity will increase by 30% in the year 2020.
HISTORICAL ATTEMPTS TO CREATE A STATEWIDE, STATE-LED PROJECT
In the summer of 2008, the Governor's Office and the State of New Mexico Economic Development Department along with the Departments of Workforce Solutions, Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources and Environment met with representatives of the national labs, the research community and with New Mexico universities to set up Working Groups to begin work on what the State called its ”New Mexico Green Grid Initiative” (or NMGGI). The Working Groups met regularly over the course of many months to analyze technologies and systems and to prepare a strategy for realizing the project. When the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) became law and $4.3 billion was set aside to develop a modern smart grid powered by renewable energy sources for the U.S., the project took an important turn.
With that decision by the Federal Government taken, the size, scope and potential funding of the NMGGI also changed. All Working Groups met to prepare a 'Gap Analysis' that determined what equipment, technologies and systems were available in the State so that the State could begin to identify potential New Mexico suppliers.
At the same time, talks began with New Mexico municipalities and utilities to encourage their collaboration and gather information on which types of micro-grid projects would be ideal for their areas of service. On the basis of these talks, five possible projects/partnerships were identified.
An intense effort then began to prepare a comprehensive grant submission, headed by Los Alamos National Lab and assisted by Sandia National Laboratories for DOE grants. The Initiative team submitted its proposal to the DOE in the summer of 2009.
Unfortunately, in the fall of 2009, the state-led NMGGI’s bid to obtain important Federal funding for a statewide, state-led project was rejected by the DOE. The Japanese Government, however, decided to proceed on its own and invest $20 million in the project with two partners: Los Alamos County and Mesa del Sol.
It is important for our country (and our state) to integrate renewable energy into our energy 'mix.' The New Mexico project will, hopefully, over the course of a two to three-year period reveal how these technologies work in 'real time' situations and form the basis for replication of the micro-grids on a wider scale.
If you wish to contact the State of New Mexico to find out what the State is doing on the project, you can log on the State's Economic Development Department's site (www.edd.state.nm.us). If you want more information on the individual sites, please contact Los Alamos County (losalamosnm.us) or Mesa del Sol (mesadelsolnm.com).
