SLV Consortum Moves Colorado's Renewable Energy Agenda Forward
John Salazar at the Renewable Energy Symposium
Political leaders joined forces with experts and community leaders on December 2nd 2006 to establish San Luis Valley leadership in the development of renewable energy programs.
Congressman John Salazar, addressed a symposium of experts, leaders and participants at the Adams State College Student Union. Congressman Salazar also issued a challenge to the SLV to assume a leadership role in the implementation of renewable energy initiatives and will pledge support for policy initiatives developed as a result of the symposium.
Recognizing that renewable energy issues are more critical than ever, a consortium of four Colorado organizations is partnering to conduct the symposium: Adams State Community Partnerships, Colorado Field Institute, SLV Resource Conservation and Development Council, and the Colorado School of Mines' Energy Research Institute.
Through presentations, breakout sessions and exhibits, the symposium highlighted current and planned projects and opportunities for renewable and alternative energy developments in the San Luis Valley. The latest research and developments regarding solar, geothermal, wind and biomass options will be included, with a focus on how the San Luis Valley can lead the State in the transition to clean and sustainable energy sources, and ultimately provide a working model for the shift from extraction to sustainable creation.
Presenters Included:
- RC&D director Jim Mietz, speaking on the status of a current SLV solar project for large-scale irrigation applications.
- Sun Edison program manager Brian Hammond, on the status of the SLV 8 Megawatt solar power plant project and interconnection.
- Geohaz consultant Jim McCalpin, on low-temperature range geothermal applications in the SLV and the potential for economic incentives for private-sector geothermal direct-use projects.
- Colorado Fuel Cell Center director Bob Remick, on development and commercialization of fuel cell products.
- Colorado Energy Research Institute director Dag Nummedal, on zero emissions energy systems.
- CU professor Frank Barnes and CSM professor Jessica Neumiller on large agricultural, utility-scale and community-scale energy storage methods and sites, along with other professors and graduate students from Colorado School of Mines and CU Boulder.
