The Idaho Renewable Energy Picture
Population and Geographical Information:
Tourism (mainly to these outdoor locations) provides a significant portion of the states annual income. So, open spaces in Idaho provide income through both agricultural and tourism sectors.
In general, Idahoans tend to be fairly conservative. Of the 35 state senate members, only 4 are democrats and of the 80 state house members, only 22 are democrats18.
The value that Idahoans place on the outdoors and their conservative politics will influence energy policy in the state
Past Energy Use:
electricity. There has also been a fairly consistent decrease in the consumption of coal since 1970. Figure 6 shows the dramatic increase in consumption since 1960.
Current Energy Use:
Note: Unless otherwise noted, the data for this section is for 1997.
Energy Source Distribution
Most of Idaho’s energy is supplied from petroleum or hydroelectricity. The detailed breakdown compared to the United States is shown in Figure 7. Several important comparisons can be made between the two distributions:
Energy Users:
Figure 9 -- Commercial, Residential, Industrial, and Transportation Sector Energy Distribution7
It is noted from these figures that electrical power consumes a significant amount of the total power for the state and also that electrical system losses (from generation, transmission, and distribution) are extremely high.
Electricity Use:
A study of electricity usage is necessary because electricity consumes a large percentage of the total energy consumption and because it impacts everyone’s lives. The public is often more aware of how much their electricity costs and where it comes from than they are of other energy issues. Electric utility deregulation has not yet spread to Idaho. However, in 1997, the Idaho House passed a bill to form a committee to research information about electricity costs. The Public Utility Commission formed this committee and in January 1998, they issued the "Electric Costs Report". The recommendations of this committee could lead to electricity deregulation in Idaho10. Hydropower is the primary source of electricity generation in Idaho, providing nearly 100% of the electricity produced in the state7. For comparison, coal provides 54%, nuclear 23%, hydropower 10%, and natural gas 10% of the nation’s electricity (on a KWh basis)8.
The hydropower is produced from many large-scale dams on the Snake River and its tributaries.
Dam Name |
Year Built |
Use |
American Falls |
1902 |
Primarily for irrigation, secondarily for power production and recreation. |
Bliss |
1950 |
Power production |
C.J. Strike |
1952 |
Primarily for power production, secondarily for recreation |
Clear Lake |
1937 |
Power production |
Milner |
1905 |
Primarily for irrigation, secondarily for power production and recreation |
Shoshone Falls |
1907 |
Power production |
Swan Falls |
1901 |
Power production |
Thousand Springs |
1912 |
Power production |
Twin Falls |
1935 |
Primarily for power production, secondarily for recreation |
Lower Salmon Falls |
1910 |
Primarily for power production, secondarily for recreation |
Upper Salmon Falls A |
1937 |
Power production |
Upper Salmon Falls B |
1947 |
Power production |
Upper Malad |
1948 |
Power production |
Lower Malad |
1911 |
Power production |
Table 1 -- Major Dams in Idaho9
Because hydropower generates essentially all of the state’s energy, Idaho has very low SOx, NOx, and CO2 emissions. Only 1 state produces less CO2 and NOx, and only 2 states produce less SOx10.
Also, since hydropower generates essentially all of Idaho’s electricity, the state has very low electricity rates. The average rate in the residential sector is 5.1 ¢/kWh, with rates ranging from 3.0 to 7.7 ¢/kWh8. Among all 50 states, only Kentuckians pay less for electricity7. Unfortunately, Idahoans take advantage of the low cost of energy by consuming more energy per capita than 36 other states1. In 1996, each Idahoan consumed 406 million BTUs1.
Most of Idaho’s electricity (90%) is supplied by four large investor-owned utilities8. The rest of the electricity is provided by smaller, publicly-owned electric utilities. Of the larger utilities, Idaho Power supplies the most electricity, providing about 60% of Idaho’s electricity8. Idaho Power is a subsidiary of IDACORP, Inc.. According to the company’s web page, Idaho Power is a "the country’s leader in photovoltaic (solar) research and project implementation.9"
Available Renewable Energy Resources:
Wind:
Idaho has excellent wind resources in many areas of the state8. Figure 10 maps the wind power class of regions of the state. For reference, wind power class 3 or higher can generate wind power with large turbines, while class 4 or higher is optimal. However, small turbines can be used at any speed. Figure 10 shows that most of Idaho is within the 3-7 wind power class range. According to the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN), only 0.4% of the land in Idaho would need to be covered with wind turbines to produce 322% of the state’s electricity needs8. There may be industrial opportunities, as well.Solar:
Solar concentrators are more technologically advanced; they are built on tracking systems so that they always face the sun. Figure 12 shows that some regions of the state are suitable for solar concentrators. According to the EREN, in the best regions of the state, a collector area of 150 acres could power 4,419 homes8.
All three types of geothermal resources (electric, direct use, and geothermal heat pumps) are available in Idaho8.
Biomass:
There is a huge potential for biomass energy in Idaho. As mentioned earlier, Idaho is an agricultural state. Corn and potatoes grown by farmers can be used to make ethanol, a biofuel. One hundred pounds of potatoes can produce 1.1 gallons of ethanol and one bushel of corn can produce 2.5 gallons of ethanol15. Each gallon of ethanol holds 76,000 BTUs, which means that 100 pounds of potatoes yields 83,600 BTUs and a bushel of corn yields 190,000 BTUs15. Biofuel can also be made from rapeseed oil, which makes a replacement for diesel fuel. Rape is already grown in many areas of Idaho. It is a very efficient crop: one acre of rape yields 2,000 pounds of seed which can produce 100 gallons of oil for fuel plus an additional 1,200 pounds of meal used for livestock feed or other applications16.Hydropower:
Hydropower is already used extensively in Idaho. However, many of the hydropower resources remain untapped16. A recent study suggests that 373 hydropower sites are underdeveloped16. These sites could provide 1,654.9 MW of energy16. The study takes environmental sensitivity into account. However, with the growing concern about the negative effects of hydropower dams on salmon, additional facilities may receive strong opposition.
Current Incentives:
Idaho Solar Initiative:
The Idaho Solar Initiative was started in response to the national Million Solar Roofs project. Idaho’s goal is to install 5,000 solar systems in the state by the year 2010. In order to help achieve this goal, the state has done the following11:
Low Interest Loans:
This program gives low interest loans to Idahoans for Renewable Resource Projects. The program gives residential loans ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 and commercial loans form $1,000 to $100,000. The loans carry a 4% interest rate over a 5-year repayment plan. For existing residences and businesses, the program requires the renewable technology to be economically advantageous; the project must have a simple payback period of less than ten years. However, for new projects, the renewable project must be the cheapest alternative. Some examples of appropriate projects include12:
Energy Conservation Loans:
Like the loans listed above, these loans offer a 4% interest rate and a 5-year repayment plan. Also, the projects must still show a payback period of 10 years or less from energy savings. The program funds energy efficient technologies in residential, commercial, governmental and agricultural sectors, as well as in schools, hospitals, and health care facilities. Eligible projects for each sector include13:
Low Interest Agricultural Loans:
This program also offers a 4% interest, 5-year repayment loan to the agricultural sector. The loans have no minimum and can reach $100,000. Like the others, the project must show a simple payback of 10 years or less, must use current technology, and must be done in Idaho. Eligible projects include14:
These projects are applicable to dairies, greenhouses, poultry barns, feed mills, and agricultural storage facilities.
Net metering:
"Net metering allows consumers to offset the cost of electricity they buy from a utility by selling renewable electric power generated at their homes or businesses8." Currently, Idaho Power Company offers net metering for small commercial and residential customers. The program is available for all small-scale energy technologies (under 100kW). However, since electricity is so inexpensive in Idaho, few people take advantage of the program.
Solar Energy Equipment Certification:
All sales of solar energy technologies, including photovoltaics, solar water heating, and solar space heating, require certification by the Better Business Bureau of Idaho8. This ensures that the government is funding sound projects when it offers loans for solar technologies (see above).
Limitations:
There are several possible limitations to widespread implementation of renewable energy in Idaho:
Virtual monopoly of Idaho electricity – Idaho Power Company controls most of the electricity in the state. Any changes in electricity source distribution will have to be started by that company. To decrease hydropower use in Idaho, environmentalists must convince Idaho Power Company that many of the hydropower dams are damaging to the ecosystem (especially salmon) and that other profitable and clean energy technologies exist.
Low cost of energy – Renewable energy implementation often requires significant start-up costs. Idaho energy consumers are accustomed to cheap energy and may fight any increase in costs, even if they are temporary.
Lack of deregulation – Right now, it is difficult for Idahoans to choose (non-hydro) renewable energy electricity. Most of the loans listed above only apply to people who live far away from the electricity grid. Those tied into the grid are stuck with their power company’s energy choices. Deregulation would allow Idaho power customers to choose their energy for electricity. Non-hydroelectric renewable resources would by an option to ALL Idahoans.
Political climate – Liberal renewable energy policy may be difficult to achieve in a conservative political climate.
Hydropower – The widespread use of hydropower might make it difficult to switch to other, more sustainable resources.
Possible Future Studies:
Next semester, I would like to study ways to implement more renewable energy in Idaho. Some of the questions to be answered include: