Case Studies

Solar Energy Feasibility Study and Development Services

A New Mexico Pueblo was interested in assessing the feasibility of potential solar generating station projects at multiple sites on the reservation.  Red Mountain assessed proposed site locations, identified others to be considered, assessed current solar technology options, provided drawings of proposed project concepts, identified applicable renewable energy incentives, and developed models to evaluate project economics under numerous scenarios.  The Pueblo committed to pursuing development of its commercial-scale solar project and sought out development funding from various sources.  Red Mountain has supported project development efforts in the areas of project ownership structure, detailed project economics and pro forma development, identification of other applicable tax incentives, preparation of power purchase RFP responses, PPA negotiations, coordination of transmission /interconnection arrangements, coordination of project financing contacts and discussions, business enterprise development, and lease planning, multiple Council presentations/discussions; ongoing discussions with Tribal leadership on project strategies; development of a single-purpose entity to hold its interests in the solar project LLC.  PPA discussions are taking place with potential purchasers, and Red Mountain continues to support project development efforts for its 4 MW solar project as it moves toward construction.   Currently the only tribally-developed solar project under development in the U.S., it anticipates financial close and groundbreaking in early 2012, pending successful PPA negotiations.  (2006-2011)

 EECBG Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Plan

A New Mexico Pueblo had undertaken numerous energy-related studies and analyses over the last 20-year period, but had not combined them into an organized document or well-defined plan.  Red Mountain reviewed numerous Pueblo documents, including demographics, housing plans, infrastructure plans and both fossil-fuel and renewable energy studies, and summarized them for the Pueblo.  With that background, Red Mountain gathered and summarized Pueblo energy usage by categories, identified numerous funding and training sources, and prepared recommendations for the Pueblo to consider relative to future energy planning and organization support. (2009-2010)

 Strategic Energy Plan and Implementation

A California Tribe was interested in establishing a Strategic Energy Plan and conducting an Energy Options Analysis to help better prioritize its available energy-related alternatives. The Tribe needed assistance in understanding and selecting the options with the greatest potential impact.  Red Mountain completed the study, outlining multiple options in the area of renewable energy development, energy efficiency, utilization of hydropower allocations, and continues to support implementation of the Tribe’s highest priority energy activities. The Tribe adopted the study as its Strategic Energy Plan, and has been implementing specific steps over the last several years.  Implementation project efforts continue, and the Tribe took a major step in April 2009, by establishing a Water and Energy Resource Authority, in order to more effectively lead and manage its tribal utility efforts. (2006-2009)

 Renewable Energy Feasibility Studies

Red Mountain has been working with a Tribe on evaluation and initial development of renewable energy projects for several years.  Red Mountain wrote a successful solar feasibility grant application and has led and completed all aspects of the solar project feasibility process including evaluation of two facility-scale solar projects for 1 – 2 MW projects and evaluation of one commercial scale solar project of 2-5 MW.  At this time, the Tribe is pursuing funding to support the feasibility study for a combined 6-9 MW wind/solar project on trust lands. (2008-2011)

Renewable Energy Feasibility Study

Red Mountain worked with a Midwest Tribe for several years on evaluation and initial development of several community- and commercial-scale wind projects.  Red Mountain wrote two successful grant applications, completed a comprehensive feasibility study, and managed/supported several aspects of the project pre-development process including initial identification and evaluation of multiple potential project sites on a combination of Trust, fee and allocatee lands; met tower site identification and installation coordination; evaluation of multiple wind project sites/project concepts; evaluation of multiple financing/ownership models; coordination of Council communications re: wind project evaluation,  recommendations and partner discussions; identification of potential wind development partners.  The Tribe is currently developing its wind farm and projects construction in 2012. (2006-2010)

Solar Energy Feasibility and Marketability Study

A Southwest Tribe was interested in understanding the potential for facility-scale, community-scale and commercial-scale solar projects on its reservation lands in Arizona.  Tribal housing, economic development, environmental and facilities personnel participated on the project team, and guided Red Mountain during this six-month assignment.  The project included analysis of facility electric usage, discussion of tribal housing solar options, solar technology reviews, identification of potential solar project sites and high-level environmental reviews, financial modeling of projects, discussion of applicable incentives and project development planning.  The Tribe is currently pursuing development of its solar project opportunities. (2009)

EECBG Energy Plan

A southern Tribe was interested in establishing baseline information on energy usage at all of its facilities on its reservation lands.  Red Mountain gathered, analyzed and summarized facility energy use, and through resources provided by the Tribe’s electric utilities, coordinated benchmarking energy efficiency analyses for the major facilities, and coordinated high-level energy audits for several facilities.  In addition, Red Mountain provided base information on available renewable energy resources, and identified and evaluated numerous potential energy project sites for both facility- and commercial-scale renewable energy projects.  Red Mountain combined this data into the Tribe’s standard strategic planning structure, identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, and proposed strategic issues, objectives and goals for the energy planning team. (2010-11)

Comprehensive Resources Study

A southern Tribe had been approached by several firms about potential development on reservation land.  Red Mountain prepared a comprehensive study for the Economic Development Department, identifying resources, recent activity, development issues, near term opportunities and active developers of various energy and mineral resources relevant to its largest land base.  The report is providing input for Council decisions on specific development opportunities.  (2011)

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