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Title: Solar Street Lighting: Using Renewable Energy for Safety for the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1481514· OSTI ID:1481514
 [1];  [2];  [2]
  1. North Dakota State Univ., Fargo, ND (United States)
  2. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Renewable energy has grown throughout the years. It is not just something for today. With the United States power electrical grid being 100 plus years old, renewable energy is the future. There are many different types of renewable energy. Solar photovoltaic array units and wind turbines seem to be the most common community scale renewable energy systems. There are new solar and wind farms popping up in more and more places each day. It is said that installing the farms is a fast process as compared to dotting the "i's" and crossing the "t's" (paper work), which is really the most time-consuming part of the entire project. During the internship at Sandia, the Indian Energy interns attended many field visits to various tribal reservations. On these field visits, the interns were able to experience first-hand some amazing renewable energy plans and projects which have now become a reality. With each site visit, the success of tribal projects is seen where hard work and persistence pays off. It brings joy to see these tribes making their dreams a reality. It is heartwarming to hear the stories of why the tribe chose to bring renewable projects to their people. It is also very informative because the tribal hosts encourage as many questions as can be asked. The field visits are what make ideas possible and to dream of what could be pursued. Research is a big part making these goals and dreams a reality. Without the field visits and knowledge shared by the tribal staff and leaders, a relevant research topic would have been difficult to focus on. Returning for a second summer as an intern at Sandia National Laboratories' Indian Energy program, several research topics were considered. Ultimately, this research paper's focus is to incorporate renewable energy specifically to take care of Mother Nature as well as the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indian people. There have been many deaths on North Dakota Highway 281, which it is the main road of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa reservation. The highway has a high volume of traffic every day, in addition to many people who frequently walk this road. There is no walking or bike path along the road; most people tend to walk the shoulders of the road. This research paper is a way to help protect these pedestrians with an idea of lighting the highway from the west end of Belcourt to one of are housing developments that is 5.34 miles to the west of town. This research paper will look at the various types of street lighting methods and provide recommendations for a suitable and economical project.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000; NA0003525
OSTI ID:
1481514
Report Number(s):
SAND-2018-12538R; 668791
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English