The phase one portion of the study included narrowing down areas with renewable resources to the zones where the best resources in each state were available. This includes areas of high solar irradiation and sufficient wind speeds at 50 meters above ground. The WECC (Western Energy Coordination Council) peak load was 150GW in 2007, so the resulting 180GW of generation capability identified by the study could significantly mitigate peak load.

Other factors that were included in the study were sufficient density – enough to provide 1,500MW of energy in a 100 mile radius, which would justify a 500kV transmission line from the zone to the demand region. Also excluded were protected areas identified by the BLM and other federal government agencies where the development of renewables is prohibited, not congruent with the development intent or could impact sensitive environmental conditions. Also not included were smaller renewable installations – generally at the local level like PV panels on rooftops.

After all is said and done, the 11 western states identified 80GW of solar thermal, about 74GW of wind, 2.5GW of biomass and 29GW of geothermal, for a total of 185GW (though only about 162GW of that was in WREZ areas).

The 11 western states in the lower 48 in 2007 consumed 667,670 GWh. In the same states, the renewable zones identified could possibly contribute over 442,000, or 66% of the total power consumption. Some states like Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico and Nevada could export renewable energy to states that wouldn’t be able to produce anywhere near what they consume – California.

Future phases of this study will analyse and create a transmission plan, as well as developing a regional purchasing system for utilities to meet their states’ RPS (renewable portfolio standards) goals, and finally getting the various local, state and federal jurisdictions to work together harmoniously in the permitting and construction process to get renewables from generation to distribution.