Experts say Imperial County is potential hotspot for different kind of renewable energy

The 12th annual Imperial Valley Energy Summit kicked off Wednesday.

Energy experts and officials discussed the state of renewable energy in the world and the role that the Imperial County can play.

For decades CO2 emissions have polluted the Earth’s atmosphere. Energy officials at the summit said that the increase of renewable energy replacing the use of coal lead to a decrease in the emissions.

Timothy Kelley, President of the Imperial Economic Development Corp., said, “But actually increase in solar and wind. But I think the thing that he mentioned is it’s really been natural gas. It’s been the thing that’s really causing the decrease in greenhouse gas emissions.”

Sean Wilcock, Vice President of Business Development of the Imperial Economic Development Corp, said the summit is also an opportunity for potential outside energy companies to invest in the wealth of natural resources in the Imperial Valley.

“So we’ve got the lowest energy rates in Southern California. We’ve got abundant water resources. Very affordable water. We’ve got an abundant opportunity for industrial land. It’s very affordable compared to the state,” Wilcock said.

Imperial County is near the top in many renewable resources like solar, wind and geothermal. Imperial County Deputy CEO Andy Horne said it’s benefited the valley’s economy.

“So historically it’s been a big part of the county’s revenue stream and also a good employer for people here in the county and our goal is to try and expand that,” said Horne.

Jonathan Weisgall, VP and Government Relations, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, said the geothermal plants near the Salton Sea are on a hotbed of mineral containing lithium which is only produced in one mine in the country.

“Lithium is an invaluable component in every electric vehicle, tablet, every phone. Probably in the camera and microphone that you’re holding right now. Its use will increase tenfold over the next decade,” Weisgall said.

But experts are faced with the challenge of developing a successful method to extract the lithium from the Earth.

Weisgall added, “Is how can we recover that brine make it commercially viable. Once it is there’s no question this can be a gigantic boom for Imperial County.”

The energy summit goes on until Friday.