Renewable Energy : In The Southland

When the first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970, Southern California was heavily dependent on oil for its energy needs. After the 1973 oil embargo, Congress passed legislation to encourage a move from oil- generated electricity to alternative resources, such as solar and wind power plants. On the eve of the 25th anniversary of Earth Day, the region leads the nation in use of energy generated from renewable resources. *

Alternatives Gaining Ground In 1974, 86% of the electricity supplied to Southern California was generated from traditional sources. By 1994, the mix had changed, with renewable sources supplying 20% : *

1974 Energy Supplied Traditional Coal: 16% Oil: 38% Natural gas: 17% Nuclear: 5% Other: 10% *

Renewable Hydroelectric: 14% *

1994 Energy Supplied Traditional Coal: 13% Natural gas: 46% Nuclear: 21% *

Renewable Blomass: 3% Geothermal: 8% Hydroelectric: 5% Solar: 1% Wind: 2% Other: 1% *

Cost Comparisons Despite technological advances, renewable resources remain expensive methods of producing electricity. Costs for 1994 per kilowatt hour: Traditional Coal: 2-3 Natural gas: 4-6 Nuclear: 6-7 Oil: 6-7 *

Renewable Blomass: 12-13 Geothermal: 12-13 Hydroelectric: 3-8 Solar: 14-15 Wind: 11-12 *

How They Work Power is supplied through turbine- generated electricity. Most renewable resources are used to create steam, which turns a turbine and generates the electricity: *

Biomass Some of the largest biomass projects in Southern California use wood waste, trash and cattle manure for fueling boilers, which run steam turbines. *

1. Waste collected from homes, businesses. 2. Recyclabes and refuse are separated. 3. Refuse is shredded and burned. 4. Gas byproducts heat water, creating steam for turbine generator. *

Geothermal Two miles below the Imperial Valley lies a sea of not brine, prime material for running a steam turbine. Production costs: small because brine is recycled. *

1. Production well taps hot brine. 2. Hot water and steam rise into well. 3. Steam runs turbine. 4. Condensation is pumped back into earth. Permeable bed: 2 miles, 600F.*

Hydroelectric California’s first hydroelectric plant was opened in 1893 in Redlands. Hydropower harnesses energy by using water to spin a turbine. *

1. Water held y dam to control downhill flow. 2. Released water diverted through pipelines to power plant. 3. Water turns paddles and rotates turbine. 4. Generators pass electricity directly to transmission lines. *

Solar Solar facilities near Barstow are generating more energy from the sun that any other such plants in the nation. *

1. Mirrors direct rays to synthetic- oil filled receiver. 2. Oil piped to tank, heating water to steam. 3. Steam spins turbine, generating electricity. 4. Condensation flows to tank; process repeats. *

Wind Tehachapi and San Gorgonio passes are home to most of the world’s wind farms. Cost per turbine: $200,000- $400,000. *

1. Wind turns rotor blades. 2. Blades crank gears inside box. 3. Gears run generator, converting wind power to electricity. 4. Underground wires connect turbine to transmission lines. Sources: Southern California Edison, Kenetech Inc., Electric Power Research Institute, California Energy Commission, World Book Encyclopedia; Researched by APRIL JACKSON / Los Angeles Times