Independent Power Supply, or Capability to
Generate Power Locally
Each county has a major hydroelectric plant, but the potential for
microhydro is underutilized. The two counties also have coal, oil and
gas potentials that have not been exploited. Winds are sufficient for
small turbines, and there are a few areas in each county that may
possibly support larger installations.
Geothermal heat flow maps show the two counties to be in the mid-to-low range
for thermoelectric generation, but nearly all areas in the counties
could take advantage of geothermal heating.
The major underutilized resource is solar. With over 300 days of
sunshine annually, these two counties should be a Mecca for solar
applications - active, passive and photovoltaic. They are not.
Grand County
The Gross Reservoir project has been completed.
WILLIAMS FORK RESERVOIR
Completed in 1959, Williams Fork Dam & Power sends water and electricity
to the Western slope when Denver diverts water to the city from
elsewhere. Standing 217 feet above the Williams Fork River steambed, the
dam backs up a reservoir of nearly 97,000 acre feet of water, and the
power plant contains a 3,158-kilovolt generator.
The Western Area Power Administration (Western), U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE), intends to prepare an Environmental Impact statement (EIS)
for rebuilding the Granby Pumping Plant-Windy Gap transmission line in
Grand County, Colorado. The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) will participate
in the preparation of the EIS, which will address the proposed removal
of about 12 miles of 69-kilovolt (kV) transmission line, the
construction and operation of about 12 miles of new 138-kV
double-circuit transmission line (operated at 69/138-kV), and adding a
second power transformer. Input for the scope of the EIS may be provided
in writing or at an open-house scoping meeting in the project area.
Summit County
Green Mountain Dam contains outlet works, a 1,070-ft. concrete-lined
open channel spillway, and a hydroelectric generation plant. The
concrete-lined, 18-ft. diameter outlet tunnel terminates at the hoist
house and gate chamber. At the gate chamber, two 102-inch ring seal
gates control the flow of water through the 102-inch penstocks that lead
to the power plant to drive two 13,500 KW Francis turbines. Two 44-inch
tube valves that branch off the penstocks control a bypass through the
power plant. This is a 21.6 MW generating facility.
Dillon - Dillon Reservoir-Salt Creek is the result of Dillon Dam on Blue
Creek in Summit County, Colorado and is used for drinking water,
hydroelectric power and recreation purposes. Construction was completed
in 1963. At normal levels it has a surface area of 5.2 square miles.
COPPER MOUNTAIN — A new solar-power system, “green” construction of a
new sports facility and an initiative to get employees involved in
energy conservation are among the environmental highlights touted by
Copper Mountain in an annual report released this week. As part of its
capital construction this summer, the resort has installed a new
4.2-kilowatt solar system to power a portion of the resort’s
transportation center starting this fall and gained Green Globes
certification for its construction of the Camp Woodward facility.
Potentials:
Wind Power Potential
Leadville Wind Speed readings (66agl):
7.1-13.5 mph
Mean Wind Speed - 10.1 mph; Maximum 10-min Mean Wind Speed - 51.3
mph @4/3/2004 12:30 am;
Estimated Wind Power Class - Class 1 (86 W/m2)
Geothermal Potential
According to a January 2006 report by the Western Governor’s
Association, Colorado has the geothermal resource potential to produce
up to 20 megawatts of electrical power within ten years.
Solar Power Potential
Average statewide daily peak sun-hours: 5.8 (compared to 4.3 for
Oregon and 6.2 for New Mexico...) Colorado is a
gold mine of solar energy, boasting more than 300 days of blue sky per
year. In addition
to legislation that authorizes counties and municipalities to offer
rebates, loans, and property and sales tax exemptions for PV systems,
the state has adopted aggressive policies that encourage the development
of solar technologies and PV manufacturing plants.
Coal, Oil & Gas Fields Potential
Grand County contains a goo portion of the North Park Basin and the
southern portion of Summit County encompasses a bit of the South Park
Basin. None of which (to the best of my knowledge) is currently being
exploited. Basins are the tan colored areas. The North & South Park
Basins are believed to have coal deposits, as well.
The Criteria List - How the 2 Counties
Stack Up (follow links to detailed information)
Membership Goals:
Our target goals for voting age self-reliant survivalist members:
Grand County: 13,406 population x 15% = 2,011 members
Summit County: 28,296 population x 15% = 4,245 members
Total voting age members wanted: 6,256, although half that would make a BIG
difference to the counties.
If you already live in Summit or Grand Counties,
contact MEG to let us know!
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Snail Mail: SSRsi, PO Box 2572 Dillon, CO. 80435-2572
