Home > Press > Electricity from the sun
 |
| The operation of concentrated solar power plants and their interaction with electric loads, by time of day and season, were analyzed to determine how this technology could be realistically incorporated into energy-economic models. Photo: Scott Butner. |
Abstract:
Concentrated solar power plants could supply a significant portion of future electricity needs, according to researchers at DOE's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, University of Maryland, and NASA. This result is based on an analysis of the interactions between concentrated solar power plants and the electrical grid.
Electricity from the sun
Richland, WA | Posted on January 24th, 2011
Concentrated solar power plants use lenses or mirrors to focus a large area of sunlight into a small area. The concentrated light is converted to heat that, in turn, drives an engine connected to an electrical generator. These plants hold a promise of clean, domestic power around the world. Global use of this technology is projected to grow substantially in the near future with numerous plants under construction worldwide.
The potential of solar power technologies is difficult to evaluate, however, because the energy-economic models used to inform decision-makers are not designed to simulate variable renewable resources. The results of this study can be used to produce more realistic estimates of their potential contribution.
This work was supported by DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, DOE's Office of Science, the California Energy Commission, and others.
####
For more information, please click here
Contacts:
Kristin Manke
509.372.6011
Copyright © Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
If you have a comment, please
Contact us.
Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.
Bookmark:
News and information
Nanoparticle Harnesses Powerful Radiation Therapy for Cancer May 20th, 2013
Microneedle-Delivered Nanoparticles Boost Antitumor Vaccines May 20th, 2013
Competition in the Quantum World May 20th, 2013
Elsevier Business Intelligence (EBI) to Host 'IN3 Medical Device 360 Boston,' June 24-26, 2013 May 20th, 2013
Govt.-Legislation/Regulation/Funding/Policy
Protein 'Passport' Helps Nanoparticles Get Past Immune System May 20th, 2013
Nanoparticle Harnesses Powerful Radiation Therapy for Cancer May 20th, 2013
Microneedle-Delivered Nanoparticles Boost Antitumor Vaccines May 20th, 2013
New Nanopore Sensor Simplifies Analysis of Methylated DNA May 20th, 2013
Possible Futures
Lifeboat publishes its first book: The Lifeboat Foundation has published its first book, "The Human Race to the Future: What Could Happen -- and What to Do" May 14th, 2013
UC Santa Barbara History Professor's Book Elucidates, Celebrates ‘Visioneers' May 14th, 2013
Conceptual Nanomedical Lipofuscin Removal Strategy April 29th, 2013
The Global Desalination Market 2013-2023 April 24th, 2013
Announcements
Competition in the Quantum World May 20th, 2013
Elsevier Business Intelligence (EBI) to Host 'IN3 Medical Device 360 Boston,' June 24-26, 2013 May 20th, 2013
Penn engineers' nanoantennas improve infrared sensing May 20th, 2013
Researchers Perform Fastest Measurements Ever Made of Ion Channel Proteins May 20th, 2013
Environment
NIA Public Briefing: Nanotechnology and the Council of Europe May 17th, 2013
Nanoadsorbent Synthesized to Remove Toxic Dyes from Textile Industry Wastewater May 16th, 2013
New Stanford Nanoscavengers Could Usher In Next Generation Water Purification May 15th, 2013
INSCX™ exchange to present a nanotechnology-based Emission Reduction Programme, Ankara, Turkey, June 2013 May 14th, 2013
Energy
New Nanopore Sensor Simplifies Analysis of Methylated DNA May 20th, 2013
Artificial Forest for Solar Water-Splitting: Berkeley Lab Researchers Report First Fully Integrated Artificial Photosynthesis Nanosystem May 17th, 2013
Moth-Inspired Nanostructures Take the Color Out of Thin Films May 17th, 2013
Solar panels as inexpensive as paint? It’s possible due to research at UB, elsewhere May 13th, 2013
Solar/Photovoltaic
Artificial Forest for Solar Water-Splitting: Berkeley Lab Researchers Report First Fully Integrated Artificial Photosynthesis Nanosystem May 17th, 2013
Moth-Inspired Nanostructures Take the Color Out of Thin Films May 17th, 2013
Solar panels as inexpensive as paint? It’s possible due to research at UB, elsewhere May 13th, 2013
Cambrios Taps Sriram Peruvemba to Oversee Worldwide Marketing May 8th, 2013