BrightSource to Build 500 Megawatts of Solar-Thermal Power in Mojave Desert
by Michael Graham Richard, Gatineau, Canada on 04. 2.08
The press release (pdf) is dated April 1st, but this is no joke. Because of California law, PG&E needs to get 20% of its electricity from renewable sources (not including big hydro) by 2010, so it has contracted with Brightsource Energy for 3 new solar-thermal power plants in the Mojave desert, one of the best spots for solar power in the world.
"Solar thermal energy is an especially attractive renewable power source because it is available when needed most in California – during the peak mid-day summer period," said Fong Wan, vice president of energy procurement at PG&E. These first three plants will add up to 500 megawatts of capacity, but PG&E has also signed contracts for options on an additional 400 megawatts, which could bring the total to 900 megawatts.
The first of these solar power plants, sized at 100 MW in Ivanpah, California, could be operating as early as 2011 and is expected to produce 246,000 megawatt hours of renewable electricity per year. BrightSource will build and place in commercial operation each of its plants as quickly as permitting and infrastructure allow.
The next two power plants will be 200 megawatts each.
For more on the subject, see ::Solar Thermal Power: Not Forgotten
::Official Bightsource Energy Press release (pdf), ::PG&E backs 3 solar plants in the Mojave
See also: ::Torresol to Build 3 Solar Thermal Power Plants in Spain for $1.24 Billion, ::Ausra: Solar Power Around the Clock, Enough for 90% of U.S. Grid, ::Bosch Solar Thermal System Sales Up 60% YTD, ::Spanish Firm, Acciona Energy, Planning 200MW Solar Thermal Power Plant In The US
This is the way to go. Our southwest deserts could be a significant resource for power with this technology in a relatively short period. Less cost for watt per square foot, too.
It makes more sense than trying to figure out how to get water down there for more development and irrigation.
hooray! the 'solar grand plan' swings into action!
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=a-solar-grand-plan
Another good link
http://www.gizmag.com/solar-thermal-power-study/8965/
Endless energy in the Mojave, minimal impact to the environment.
California to be 20% renewable by 2010. Wow. That is awsome.
California to be 20% renewable by 2010. Wow. That is awsome.
It seems like a new one of these are being planned every week or so. Any figures on how much installed capacity is in the pipeline?
I'm surprised this happened in the Mojave. I mean, isn't the Mojave a National Park technically? At least I remember it being labelled as such last time I drove through it...
Regardless, this is great news. Solar thermal is so much better than pv panels.
It's going to be on the Ivanpah Dry Lake Bed, which is just on the border with Nevada right next to Primm. It's much closer to Las Vegas than any city in California; for efficiency purposes I would have hoped they'd sell it to Nevada Power, but the pricing is probably bad compared with Nevada's coal plants.
This area is hopping with future planning, as Las Vegas is planning a major cargo airport in the area as well.
Dear Madam or Sir,
I work for the French magazine Architectures à vivre (with a 80 000 copies circulation) and we would like to present some of your works, especially Solar-Thermal Power in Mojave Desert.
Indeed, in the context of our 16 pages dedicated to environment, we are going to present news forms of energy production throughout the world.
We need high resolution photographs quite urgently (300dpi) and a brief presenting the product.
Thank you very much for your colaboration.
Best regards,