The state is looking into new geothermal, small modular nuclear and natural gas projects on land that is owned by the state as it seeks to find further methods of strengthening the state’s electric grid and meeting the increasing demand for power.
The Texas General Land Office (GLO) is issuing a Request for Information in order to obtain comments from energy companies, developers, producers and technology providers who are interested in setting up power-generation projects on public land.
The effort is centered on three technologies: geothermal energy, small modular reactors (SMRs), and natural gas generation. Officials from the government are most interested in electricity sources which are reliable and can be dispatched so as to provide a steady supply of power or increase generation when demand goes up.
The GLO has under its management over 13 million acres of state land and mineral rights, which gives the agency a considerable amount of resources that might in the future be used for energy development. The revenue derived from these lands goes into the Permanent School Fund, a fund that in turn supports public education in Texas.
The energy initiative is included within a wider strategy called Texas Engine: Fueled, Fed and Fortified, which looks at the way state-owned resources can contribute to economic development, energy security and other state priorities.
At the moment, the GLO is collecting information regarding suitable sites, possible development models and companies that are interested in taking part. The future projects will be determined by the replies received and the later decisions as to which technologies and state-owned sites should be developed.
This initiative is taking place since Texas has been continuously bringing in more residents, businesses, and large industrial operations, which has increased the demand for electricity and placed further pressure on the need to expand generation capacity and ensure grid reliability.
Source: The Cool Down
Author: Leslie Sattler
Original Link: https://www.thecooldown.com/green-business/texas-energy-development-geothermal-nuclear-gas/