MORE NEWS, 5-1 (SOLAR POWER TOWER GOES ON LINE; KANSAS COULD EXPORT WIND; NISSAN TO BRING EV TO SEATTLE IN 2010)

SOLAR POWER TOWER GOES ON LINE
Abengoa launches world's biggest solar power tower
Martin Roberts, April 27, 2009 (Reuters)

"Spanish engineering company Abengoa has begun operating a 20 megawatt solar power plant that is the world's biggest, using a tower to turn the sun's rays into electricity and can supply 10,000 homes…

"The PS20 plant in the southern province of Seville uses 1,255 mirrors to focus solar radiation at the top of a tower 165 metres high, in order to boil water to drive a turbine and generate electricity."

From sipje2007 via YouTube.
"Abengoa already has a 10 MW solar power tower in service and plans another 20 MW plant…[I] ts "Solucar" complex [will]… produce 300 MW by 2013 with the addition of five 50 MW plants using parabolic troughs to concentrate solar power.

"Power towers and parabolic troughs are both types of concentrated solar power (CSP)."

From MelkartGaditano via YouTube.

"Most solar power stations use photovoltaic (PV) panels, which directly convert solar energy into electricity…[A]nalysts say CSP plants may take the lead…because they generate more power and could be more cost effective.

"Spain became the world's second largest PV producer after Germany last year, with more than 3,000 MW installed, due to a generous [feed-in tariff] subsidy… PV growth is expected to be slow this year because the government will cap…subsidies this year."


KANSAS COULD EXPORT WIND
Study: Kan. could be exporter of renewable energy
April 28, 2009 (AP via Forbes)

"Kansas has the potential to become a major exporter of renewable energy, producing many new jobs and new tax revenue, a national study found.

"Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson and members of the American Council on Renewable Energy presented the report… by the Joint Coordinated System, a group of regional transmission operators including the Southern Power Pool, which Kansas is a part of."

Kansas is one of the top 10 states. (click to enlarge)

"The study calculated the state's maximum wind potential at 19 gigawatts by 2030 and projected 1 megawatt of power annually each from solar and bio-energy."

Kansas was one of the most active states last year. (click to enlarge)

"The study found tremendous potential to market Kansas energy to places such as Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana and Georgia…[T]he plan could create $23 billion in cumulative economic impact and 12,000 jobs from now through 2030.

"But with current market conditions and a lack of transmission capability, energy from wind and other renewable resources is more expensive to generate…"


NISSAN TO BRING EV TO SEATTLE IN 2010
Nissan plans to start selling electric car in Seattle next year
Aubrey Cohen, April 28, 2009 (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

"Seattle will be one of the first cities where Nissan sells a new electric car, and the city will help make the vehicles viable here, officials from the city and auto maker said…

"The new plug-in vehicle will be able to exceed highway speed limits, go 100 miles on a charge and recharge in four to eight hours using a 220-volt line, similar to those for clothes dryers…It will seat five, be similar in size to Nissan's Versa and Sentra and be affordable to a typical family…"

Prototype Nissan EV due in 2010. (click to enlarge)

"In an agreement between Nissan and the city of Seattle, the automaker says it intends to sell the cars in the Seattle area and work with government and other organizations and companies on a plan to promote the cars and creation of a network of charging facilities.

"Seattle says it intends to help develop the charging network; consider incentives for buying and using the cars, and creating charging stations; consider regulatory changes to support the cars, such as streamlined permitting for installing charging outlets; and consider leasing or buying the cars for its fleet."

It will require these and Seattle will provide them. (click to enlarge)

"Electric cars are part of the electrification of the city's transit system -- along with trackless trolleys, streetcars and light rail -- helping lessen dependence on foreign oil and reduce pollution, Mayor Greg Nickels said…

"Nissan plans to roll out the car in 12 to 15 markets next year…The [chaging] stations will have a standardized outlet that will accommodate other companies' plug-in cars…[Nissan] would not say just what the car would cost or how many the company planned to offer…"