One Response to “Water concerns could dry up Coachella Valley solar plans”

1. Harvey Sherback on December 15th, 2009 7:43 pm

   December 15, 2009

   California’s Solar Powered Delta-Mendota Canal

   California’s greatest problems revolve around
   power and water. Therefore, we have developed
   the following concept: covering the Central
   Valley’s Delta-Mendota Canal with a photovoltaic
   canopy that generates clean, renewable,
   electricity while protecting the water in the
   Canal.

   The multiple advantages are listed below:

   (1) Location. The Delta-Mendota Canal runs
   through desert-like conditions, and, more
   important, there is no need to obtain new
   land. Portions of the Canal adjoin an
   existing transmission line corridor.

   (2) Timing. The California Aqueduct system
   is outdated and unprepared for drought,
   flood and earthquake emergencies. It is
   also slated for major reconstruction by
   the U.S. Department of Reclamation, which
   oversees the system.

   In California, there is bipartisan support
   for our concept. In 2005 the California
   Legislature enacted a law promoting the
   construction of photovoltaic coverings
   over the State’s canal system: (AB 515,
   Richman R).

   (3) Water. With reduced evaporation, the
   Canal will deliver more water to its
   destination, the San Joaquin River. The
   water will arrive cleaner and cooler,
   aiding farmers and fisheries and helping
   to prevent blooms of toxic algae.

   (4) Photovoltaics. Photovoltaic generated
   electricity consumes no water and
   produces no greenhouse gas.

   (5) Responsibility. Providing a safe water
   infrastructure for us, our families
   and future generations.

   Here are some facts about the Delta-Mendota
   Canal, followed by a more detailed analysis
   of the five points listed above:

   The Canal is a Federal project, part of the
   Governor Edmund G. Brown California Aqueduct
   system that collects water from the Sierra
   Nevada Mountains and the valleys of Northern
   and Central California and conveys it to
   Southern California.

   The Delta-Mendota Canal’s purpose is to
   replenish the San Joaquin River with Delta
   water. The Canal flows southward, delivering
   most of it’s water into the Mendota Pond,
   located 30 miles west of Fresno.

   Construction period: 1946-1951

   Length: 117 miles

   Typical section:

   Bottom width: 100 feet
   Side slope: 3:01
   Water depth: 14.3 feet

   The Delta-Mendota Canal is mostly concrete-lined
   and is operated by the United States Bureau of
   Reclamation and the Delta-Mendota Water Authority.

   Aerial Photo: Delta-Mendota Canal

   http://www.flickr.com/photos/amenfoto/3285100067/

   Aerial Photo: Delta Mendota Canal with windmills
   in the Diablo Foothills.

   http://www.flickr.com/photos/amenfoto/3285469699/

   (1) Location. The 117 mile Delta-Mendota
   Canal is ideally situated in a sunny desert-like
   environment.

   Because of its proximity to the existing power
   grid, little or no new land is required to
   connect the Delta-Mendota Canal to the Path 15
   transmission line corridor. Proximity to the
   grid means that less electricity is lost during
   transmission.

   (2) Timing. The California Aqueduct system
   is outdated and unprepared for drought,
   flood and earthquake emergencies. As the
   water system is being overhauled, it is the
   appropriate time to cover appropriate sections
   of the Delta-Mendota Canal with a photovoltaic
   canopy.

   The current state of affairs is described in
   the article below:

   Interior Chief Says California Water System Outdated

   Samantha Young – Capital Press 4/15/09

   RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. (AP) – Interior Secretary
   Ken Salazar urged California to modernize its
   antiquated water system. He told reporters that
   California’s massive system of reservoirs, pumps
   and canals was outdated, built a half century
   ago and designed for a population half the size
   of today’s 37.7 million people. He pledged that
   the federal government was ready to help California overhaul its system and deal with its drought.

   “It is time to modernize, it is time to make hard
   choices, and it’s time for the federal government
   to re-engage in a full partnership with a 21st
   century water system for the state of California,”
   Interior Secretary Salazar said.

   California is already on the forefront of such
   modernization. In 2005 the State Assembly
   unanimously passed AB 515.

   The Bill, authored by Keith Richman (R), was
   signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger. It
   authorizes the Department of Water Resources to
   “establish a program to lease space above State
   Water Project conveyance facilities, such as
   aqueducts, to private entities for installing
   solar panels and generating electricity from
   those panels. Chapter 368, Statutes of 2005

   In addition, major conservation efforts are
   underway that are relevant to the Delta-
   Mendota Canal. Two major priorities are
   restoring the salmon fisheries of the San
   Joaquin River and protecting the various
   Delta habitats.

   (3) Water. With reduced evaporation, the
   Canal will deliver more water to its destination,
   the San Joaquin River. The water will arrive
   cleaner and cooler, aiding farmers and fisheries
   and helping to prevent blooms of toxic algae.

   As the water flows southward, there is loss
   to evaporation. A photovoltaic canopy placed
   over long segments of the Delta-Mendota canal
   can be designed to minimize these losses.

   Besides saving water, the photovoltaic canopy
   will keep the water cooler. The water that
   re-enters the river system will also be
   “softer” because of less salt, chemical and
   mineral buildup due to evaporation.

   The canopy will help to block airborne
   particles, such as sand, soil, soot and
   agricultural chemicals from entering the
   Canal.

   With our hot, dry summers and increasing
   likelihood of a fourth year of drought,
   California’s water supply is vulnerable
   to over-growths of toxic blue-green algae.
   Keeping the water cool and shaded will help
   to prevent dangerous algae blooms.

   The cleaner, colder water will benefit the
   fish and other aquatic wildlife as it returns
   to the Delta. This will help the current
   attempt to restore the salmon population
   of the San Joaquin River.

   (4) Photovoltaics. Photovoltaic generated
   electricity consumes no water and produces
   no greenhouse gas.

   America’s coal fired, oil fired, natural gas
   and nuclear power plants use more than 136
   billion gallons of fresh water daily in the
   generation of greenhouse gas producing
   electricity. Only agriculture uses more
   water.

   Energy Department officials have stated a
   goal of achieving a 50 percent reduction
   in fresh water usage by electrical power
   plant by the year 2015.

   Photovoltaics use no water in the generation
   of electricity. In addition, they have no
   moving parts, make no noise, cause no chemical
   reactions, create no emissions and are virtually
   maintenance free.

   Calculating the true cost of electrical
   generation, factoring in the value of the
   water consumed, both now and in the future,
   we conclude that water saving photovoltaic
   technology is the sensible solution.

   (5) Responsibility. Providing a safe water
   infrastructure for us, our families and future
   generations.

   The Central Valley accounts for about a fifth
   of the electricity used in California, much
   of which is used to power water pumping stations.
   More than ever, it is necessary for the Valley
   to be responsible for reducing its vast carbon
   footprint.

   The emissions generated using conventional
   methods accelerate global warming. This, in
   turn, is responsible for the rapid melting
   of the snow packs on California’s mountaintops,
   which is the major source and reservoir of our
   fresh drinking and irrigation water.

   Water is life!

   The Delta-Mendota photovoltaic canopy project
   can be seen as a pilot concept for other
   applications. It would also act as a “stimulus”
   to California’s scientific and engineering
   community, providing an opportunity to develop
   new, cost-effective green technologies.

   Finally, this project is unique among alternative
   energy projects because it is designed to
   protect California’s dwindling water resources,
   while delivering clean, renewable electricity.

   Harvey Sherback & David Cohn

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