Renewable Energy Diagram

Lake County Renewable Energy Group

Lake County sits in a very unique position for renewable energy projects including wind, solar, hydro and geothermal. In 2006 the Town of Lakeview, City of Paisley, Lake County, South Central Oregon Economic Development District, Lake County Chamber of Commerce, the Oregon Renewable Energy Center at Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT) and Lake County Resources Initiative came together to form the Lake County Renewable Energy Working Group. Realizing all the renewable energy potential, the group set as their goal to be fossil fuel free from an energy standpoint in five years.

Progress Since 2006

In 2007 the Town of Lakeview completed or initiated feasibility studies for a small hydro project, a geothermal heating district and geothermal electricity production; the City of Paisley and a local landowner are in the final stages of a feasibility for geothermal electricity production and a geothermal heating district; Nevada Geothermal has leased the Crump Geyser in Plush; Lake County is pursuing solar and wind in conjunction with the Oregon National Guard at the outdated Backscatter Radar Site in Christmas Valley. In 2007 the Lake County Chamber of Commerce held meetings through out the county on renewable energy potential and out of these meetings a great interest developed from homeowners and ranchers in ground source heat pumps, solar watering pumps and small on the farm wind generation. It became clear as we started working on the Lakeview Biomass Project that Lake County sits in a very unique position for other renewable energy projects including wind, solar, hydro and geothermal.

With ever increasing energy costs there will be substantial savings if the City of Paisley and Town of Lakeview develop their heating districts. Preliminary estimates are the school in Paisley could save as much as $60,000/year and we would suspect that each school in Lakeview would save $60,000 to $100,000/year using geothermal. Should the Lake District Hospital remodel become a reality, by incorporating geothermal could save them $100,000/year. Putting geothermal in the incubator building thus providing free heat could help attract more industry to Lake County.

Homeowner and Ranch Opportunities

Closed Loop System Homeowners can save considerable by installing ground source heat pumps. Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) are electrically powered systems that tap the stored energy of the greatest solar collector in existence: the earth. These systems use the earth's relatively constant temperature to provide heating, cooling, and hot water for homes and commercial buildings. A GSHP system can be installed in a residential structure of any size, anywhere, whether it is single-family or multi-family. GSHPs can be installed on almost any size lot: under lawns, landscaped areas, driveways, or the house itself. An existing house can be retrofitted with a GSHP using the ductwork that is already there or using a free standing stove specifically designed for ground source heat pumps. A dealer/installer will be able to determine your house/building requirements and if any minor modifications are needed. Home builders and homeowners can both take advantage of the special financing that is offered in many locations on a GSHP either through the utility or State and federal programs. You can cut energy consumption by 20 to 50% and reduce maintenance costs. Solar Pump Heating efficiencies 50 to 70% higher than other heating systems and cooling efficiencies 20 to 40% higher than available air conditioners. Depending upon the size of your home, the possibility exists too completely replace you currently heating system.

Ranchers can take advantage of solar water pumps and wind to reduce operational costs. Most individuals over estimate the amount of wind, as they remember the windy days and don't average in the calm days. Most small wind turbines require 6-10 mph to start and perform best at 12 mph. You can use airport weather data to estimate your average wind speed or go to the Firstlook site. The American Wind Energy Association has listed some of the small wind system manufactures listed with data on the equipment.

Renewable Energy Goals

Over the next 4 years the working groups goals are to have 4 renewable electricity facilities in operation (solar, wind, hydro and/or geothermal); establish a heat district supplying 3 schools, an industrial park, county shop, new hospital and interagency facility with 100% geothermal; develop a user friendly website to assist those eligible for tax credits to fill out the appropriate forms; install renewable energy sources in 5 homes and 8 ranches. To assist in accomplishing all this we plan to establish a renewable energy revolving loan fund for homeowners and ranchers. Lake County will be fossil energy free and providing more renewable energy than can be used in the County. The project will benefit the county both economically and environmentally, serving as a model for other rural counties.

Renewable Energy Efforts Presently Being Pursued

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