WHAT CSP W/STORAGE CAN DO IN THE U.S.
CSP Thermal Energy Storage vital for utilities and grid operators
Beatriz Gonzalez, March 5, 2013 (CSP Today)
“…[ Five CSP projects] are scheduled to come online in 2013-14, with a combined total of 1312MW…Abengoa’s Solana and Mojave projects, BrightSource Energy’s Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System…[SolarResource’s] Crescent Dunes and [NextEra Energy’s] Genesis plant…
“…[T]his increase in operating capacity, as well as 1.5GW of projects in planning in the US, demonstrates the strong [U.S.] support for CSP…[It] makes sense for the US to pursue leadership in CSP development…Firstly, the US has ample high-irradiation suitable for CSP development particularly in California, Arizona and Nevada…[Also, the] prime materials for CSP plant construction are readily available in the US, in addition to projects generating local employment particularly during the construction phase…”
“…[Most importantly, utilities and grid operators…[facing] renewable portfolio standards…[will be adding variable resources such as wind and solar photovoltaic plants (PV)…[A]s PV and wind integration increases, the thermal energy storage capability of CSP becomes…even more valuable because stored energy can be used to accommodate the variability of other non-dispatchable renewables…In addition, CSP with storage can modify ramp rates, keeping them more in-line with grid requirements, because plant operators have the flexibility to stop putting solar energy into the grid at a given time, or if needed, put more power into the grid.
“…[T]he addition of thermal energy storage involves additional capital costs…[but] storage will not add anything to ratepayers’ cost…[and] can actually decrease the cost because…the turbine, the generator and all the power block…[can be used] for more hours of the day…[and] will end up operating more efficiently [so] its effective lifespan will be increased, reducing maintenance and operational costs…[and] ultimately improving Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE)…”
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home