Hydropower Beginning
Willamette Falls Electric Station A (1)
Portland early in its development actually relied on hydropower generation predominantly with the introduction of electricity (1). In 1889, Willamette Falls Electric (Station A) was the first large scale generation plant and using river-based power to bring electricity to downtown Portland, 14 miles away (1) : learn more. At one point most of Portland and the Northwest Region’s electricity was produced by hydropower (1). Yet with the shift to developing inexpensive coal and natural gas, hydropower lost its role as a major producer (2). Also the original dams have caused declines in fish population, notably salmon as well as other wildlife (3). Recently however, the modern Bureau of Hydroelectric Power had two powerhouses running on the Bull Run watershed by 1982 (3). Currently, the Portland Hydroelectric Project (PHP) produces on average enough energy to power 8,420 Portland homes per year or 85.6 million kWh a year (3). The Portland General Electric buys the energy generated by PHP(3). The utility company also runs multiple hydro projects on the Willamette, Clackamas, and Deshutes, which altogether make up 42% of PGE renewable energy production (4). Also on each of these sites there are measures taken to ensure safe migration of salmon and steelhead with fish ladders and careful tracking and observation of the populations (4).
Renewables in the Northwest
Columbia Methane Fuel Cell (5)
With the depletion of the finite sources of coal and the increased awareness of their environmental impacts the Renewable Northwest Project (RNP) began to pursue renewable sources for significant energy generation in 1994 (2). In 1996, RNP led the way in establishing the first CO2 standard for new power plants in Oregon, as well as the first in the country(2). Currently the Northwest region due to the RNP in part has over 1,500 MW wind projects and dozens of solar projects: see map(2). RNP has and continues to help devise and pass energy policies in Oregon (2). Portland specifically in 1999 created a methane-powered fuel cell, harnessing the methane gas by-product from the Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant and turning out clean electricity of about 1.4 million kWh per year. The energy has been directly used by the treatment plant (5). In the same vein, the city runs a small facility at Cal-Gon dairy farm, converting 20 tons of manure a day into methane gas to run a generator (6). Both of these projects reduce the amount of methane released into the atmosphere and the Cal-Gon facility reduces the build up of manure.
25 by 25 Standard
Biglow Wind Farm (10)
The city has become even more aggressive on pursuing alternative sources with mandates at both the state and city level. In 2007, Oregon legislature passed a policy demanding the state’s utilities find 25% of its electricity from new renewable sources of electricity(7). In the Climate Action Plan 2009 for Portland, by 2030 new buildings and houses must be net zero greenhouse gas emissions and 10 percent of the city’s energy must come from on-site renewables(8). To meet these standards Portland General Electric is aiming for generating 122 megawatts by 2015(7). The utility company’s largest renewable project is the Biglow Canyon Wind Farm begun in 2007 and producing on average 150 megawatts(9). PGE since 1999 has offered renewable energy to its consumers, buying power from wind farms along with constructing its own production facilities(9). Most recently the company has been pursuing solar power on a large scale from a pioneer solar project powering highway lights in 2008 to the largest rooftop solar installation in the Northwest region in 2010(11). Currently Portland residents can opt to pay a slightly higher rate to receive 100% of their energy from renewable sources.
1. "Timeline: Electrifying Portland." Portland General Electric. www.portlandgeneral.com/community_environment/initiatives/protecting_fish/clackamas_river/river_mill_history/timeline_historic_milestones.aspx (accessed February 24, 2013).
2. "Our Story | Renewable Northwest Project." Renewable Northwest Project. http://www.rnp.org/node/our-story (accessed February 22, 2013).
3."POWER PRODUCTION AT THE PORTLAND HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT." Portland Water Bureau. www.portlandoregon.gov/water/article/296283 (accessed February 23, 2013).
4. Protecting Fish: Hydropower Photo Tour | PGE." Portland General Electric. http://www.portlandgeneral.com/community_environment/initiatives/protecting_fish/hydropower_photo_tour/default.aspx (accessed February 24, 2013).
5. "Energy Projects at City of Portland Facilities | City of Portland Energy Challenge | The City of Portland, Oregon." City of Portland, Oregon. http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/431300 (accessed February 24, 2013).
6. "Biogas." Portland General Electric. www.portlandgeneral.com/community_environment/initiatives/renewable_energy/biogas.aspx (accessed February 26, 2013).
7. "25 by 25 Renewable Standard." Portland General Electric. www.portlandgeneral.com/community_environment/initiatives/renewable_energy/25x25_renewable_standard.aspx (accessed February 26, 2013).
8. City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability. "City of Portland and Multnomah County Climate Action Plan 2009." City of Portland, Oregon. http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/314522 (accessed February 18, 2013).
9. "Biglow Wind Farm." Portland General Electric. www.portlandgeneral.com/community_environment/initiatives/renewable_energy/biglow_canyon/default.aspx (accessed February 26, 2013).
10. (Image) https://sge.lclark.edu/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/biglow-canyon-wind-farmjpg-7d9829d18d1eb706.jpg
11. "Renewable Energy: Solar Power Initiatives | PGE." Portland General Electric.
http://www.portlandgeneral.com/community_environment/initiatives/renewable_energy/solar_power.aspx (accessed February 26, 2013).
2. "Our Story | Renewable Northwest Project." Renewable Northwest Project. http://www.rnp.org/node/our-story (accessed February 22, 2013).
3."POWER PRODUCTION AT THE PORTLAND HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT." Portland Water Bureau. www.portlandoregon.gov/water/article/296283 (accessed February 23, 2013).
4. Protecting Fish: Hydropower Photo Tour | PGE." Portland General Electric. http://www.portlandgeneral.com/community_environment/initiatives/protecting_fish/hydropower_photo_tour/default.aspx (accessed February 24, 2013).
5. "Energy Projects at City of Portland Facilities | City of Portland Energy Challenge | The City of Portland, Oregon." City of Portland, Oregon. http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/431300 (accessed February 24, 2013).
6. "Biogas." Portland General Electric. www.portlandgeneral.com/community_environment/initiatives/renewable_energy/biogas.aspx (accessed February 26, 2013).
7. "25 by 25 Renewable Standard." Portland General Electric. www.portlandgeneral.com/community_environment/initiatives/renewable_energy/25x25_renewable_standard.aspx (accessed February 26, 2013).
8. City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability. "City of Portland and Multnomah County Climate Action Plan 2009." City of Portland, Oregon. http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/314522 (accessed February 18, 2013).
9. "Biglow Wind Farm." Portland General Electric. www.portlandgeneral.com/community_environment/initiatives/renewable_energy/biglow_canyon/default.aspx (accessed February 26, 2013).
10. (Image) https://sge.lclark.edu/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/biglow-canyon-wind-farmjpg-7d9829d18d1eb706.jpg
11. "Renewable Energy: Solar Power Initiatives | PGE." Portland General Electric.
http://www.portlandgeneral.com/community_environment/initiatives/renewable_energy/solar_power.aspx (accessed February 26, 2013).
Lara Jansen