Everything about Silicon Valley Power totally explained
Silicon Valley Power (SVP) is a
not-for-profit municipal
electric utility owned and operated by the city of
Santa Clara, California, USA. Silicon Valley Power provides power for more than 50,000 customers, including Applied Materials, Intel, National Semiconductor, and Yahoo!, at rates 25 to 45 percent below neighboring communities. SVP also offers customers a 100 percent renewable energy option through its Santa Clara Green Power program, and is an active participant in the wholesale energy markets in the Western United States.
History
Originally founded in 1896 as Santa Clara's electric department, for many years SVP only purchased wholesale energy.
In 1980 SVP became an energy producing utility for the first time since 1903, when it launched its own six
megawatt cogeneration project, and in 1983 was the lead partner in a new 110-megawatt
geothermal power plant.
Power reliability
According to a 2005 nation-wide, reliability benchmarking survey, Santa Clara's Silicon Valley Power placed first in several categories and second overall power reliability in the nation.
Pricing
Recently, SVP brought online a brand new
combined cycle gas turbine plant called the Donald Von Raesfeld Power Plant (DVR). The new plant produces 147 megawatts of electricity for the city, its businesses and its residents. As a result of this new plant and a diverse power source portfolio, the going rate for electricity in Santa Clara is considerably cheaper (30-45% less) than that offered by Northern California's dominant utility,
Pacific Gas and Electric. Over the last 14 years, SVP has raised the rate it charges for electricity only once.
Environmental responsibility
SVP's diverse
Power Mix
contains over 50% renewable power (mostly Wind, Geothermal and Hydoelectric). Additionally, SVP offers customers the option of selecting "Santa Clara Green Power", which is 100%
renewable energy generated from
wind and
solar sources. Green Power costs an additional 1.5¢ per
kilowatt-hour; according to SVP, this will cost the average Santa Clara resident an additional $ 7.05 per month.
SVP also offers rebates for residents who new purchase
Energy Star refrigerators, while recycling their old appliances, install attic insulation, or install a
whole house fan.
Low income residents may receive a 25% rate discount.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Silicon Valley Power'.
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