Feds to fund high-tech solar power studies
WASHINGTON, Jul 15, 2009 -- UPI
The U.S. Energy Department says it will provide as much as $52.5 million to
research and develop solar power systems that can produce electricity day
and night.
The systems are concentrating solar power technologies that concentrate and
capture the sun's energy as heat, which then drives an engine or turbine to
produce electrical power. Officials said such plants can include low-cost
energy storage, which allows them to provide electricity even when the sun
is not shining. Current solar technologies typically don't have the
capability or storage capacity, operating only during daytime hours.
The new project, said Energy Department officials, will seek to improve
technology to extend operation to an average of about 18 hours per day -- a
level that would make it possible for a CSP plant to displace a traditional
coal power plant.
"Low-cost renewable energy generation that includes energy storage is one
key to our efforts to diversify domestic energy sources and create new
jobs," Energy Secretary Steven Chu said in a statement. "By investing in the
development of low-cost solar technologies we can pave the way toward faster
deployment of carbon-free, large-scale energy sources."
Officials said they anticipate issuing as many as 13 project awards.
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