South Dakota and renewable energy
South Dakota, located in the north-central midwestern United States, is becoming a notable player in renewable energy production, particularly due to its limited fossil fuel reserves. The state, characterized by its vast Great Plains and low population density, has a high per capita energy demand driven by its cold winters and hot summers. In recent years, South Dakota has significantly increased its renewable energy output, primarily through wind power, which accounted for about 55 percent of its electricity generation in 2022.
The state has made strides in renewable sources, with over 84 percent of its electricity generated from renewables in that same year. South Dakota is recognized for its strong wind energy potential, thanks to the open terrain suitable for wind farms. Additionally, the state is a leader in corn production, contributing to its position as a major producer of corn-based ethanol. While the state still relies on coal, which is imported from neighboring regions, the trend towards renewable energy reflects a growing commitment to sustainable practices. Other renewable sources, such as solar, biofuels, and geothermal, are also part of South Dakota's evolving energy landscape, signaling a broader shift towards clean energy solutions.
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South Dakota and renewable energy
Summary: With limited fossil fuel reserves, South Dakota, one of the least populated states in the United States, is becoming a leader among the nation’s producers of renewable energy.
South Dakota is a sparsely populated state with fewer than 1 million inhabitants, situated in the north-central midwestern United States. The state covers approximately 75,000 square miles and is bordered by the states of North Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Wyoming, and Montana. The longest river in the state is the Missouri River, and the Great Plains dominate South Dakota’s landscape, which has been formed by periods of glaciation, which created many freshwater lakes. The Black Hills, in southern South Dakota, are a range of low mountains that extend into Wyoming. In addition, there are four large reservoirs created by dams along the Missouri River. The majority of the population can be found in the state’s two largest cities, Sioux Falls, near the eastern border with Iowa and Minnesota, and Rapid City, on the western side of the state, near the Wyoming border.
Energy Production and Consumption
As one of the least populated states in the United States, South Dakota has low overall energy demand. However, the per capita energy demand is high due to very cold winters and hot summers, along with industries that use considerable energy. The state has minimal reserves of fossil fuels but great potential for renewable energy, especially wind energy, given its location in the Great Plains. Much of South Dakota’s electricity is supplied by its hydroelectric and coalpower plants. Some oil and natural gas reserves exist in the western part of the state. According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), in 2022, South Dakota’s total energy production was 240 trillion British thermal units (Btu), with a consumption of 358 trillion Btu.
South Dakota’s economy accounts for only about 0.3 percent of the total US economy and is one of the smallest state economies in the nation. Total energy consumption per capita is slightly higher than the national average, and electricity consumption is near the national average. Industry accounts for the largest share of energy consumption, followed by transportation and residential use.
Fossil Fuels
The state has a long history of oil exploration, although the first oil-producing well in South Dakota was not drilled until 1953; oil production began the following year. The majority of oil and gas production takes place in the Williston Basin in northwestern South Dakota. In 2022, the state produced less than 1 million barrels of oil.
Although South Dakota overall consumes very little natural gas, piping most of the natural gas from Texas and Canada to Minnesota and other midwestern states, nearly half of all households use natural gas as the primary source of energy for home heating. South Dakota also has several liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) pipelines pumping in supplies from surrounding states; LPG heats a significant number of the state’s households.
South Dakota’s electricity is also supplied by coal. However, there are no coal mines or reserves in the state, so most of the coal used in South Dakota's coal-fired power plants is imported, mainly from Wyoming. An estimated 83 percent of the 1.3 million tons of coal consumed in South Dakota in 2021 was used to generate electricity.
Renewable Energy
South Dakota has been expanding its production of renewable energy, thanks to state-level incentives encouraging the expansion of renewable sources. More than 84 percent of the state's electricity generation came from renewable energy sources in 2022. A year prior to that, wind farms surpassed hydroelectric plants as South Dakota's leading source of renewable energy. Other renewable energy sources in the state include solar, biofuels, geothermal, and wood and waste energy.
South Dakota has increasingly turned to wind power in the twenty-first century. The state is one of the highest-ranked US states for wind energy potential, as the Great Plains and other flat, open areas throughout the state are well-suited to wind farms. In 2022, approximately 55 percent of the state's total electricity generation came from wind power.
South Dakota is a leading grower of corn and has become one of the country’s largest producers of corn-based ethanol, mostly produced on the eastern side of the state. A small solar energy potential also exists in South Dakota, led by the state's only utility-scale solar farm, which began operations in 2016. Although geothermal energy was used in direct heat applications, no utility-scale generation operations were underway as of 2024.
Bibliography
Garry, P. M., C. J. Spurlin, and D. A. Nelsen. "Wind Energy in Indian Country: A Study of the Challenges and Opportunities Facing South Dakota Tribes." South Dakota Law Review 54, no. 3 (2009).
"South Dakota." In Encyclopedia of Global Warming and Climate Change, edited by S. George Philander. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2008.
"South Dakota." Institute for Energy Research, 2017, www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/states/south-dakota. Accessed 8 Aug. 2024.
"South Dakota." United States of Energy, 2024, www.usofenergy.com/state/south-dakota/. Accessed 8 Aug. 2024.
"South Dakota." US Energy Information Administration, 20 July 2023, www.eia.gov/beta/states/states/sd/overview. Accessed 8 Aug. 2024.