Tri-State joins consortium to explore new solar plant for New Mexico.
A Colorado G&T is among several utilities that are partnering with the Electric Power Research Institute to explore a potential solar power project in New Mexico.
Tri-State G&T Association, Westminster, said it envisions solar power as a possible option to satisfy a new requirement to use renewable energy in New Mexico, where it supplies power to several co-ops.
“Utility-scale solar power holds great promise and potential, and this project will provide the G&T with further insight into this resource while also helping continuing its goal of developing a balanced generation portfolio,” the G&T said in a statement.
The plant would rely on concentrating solar power technology, which enables greater production of energy from the sun than traditional solar panels.
CSP technology employs large reflectors, similar to mirrors, to concentrate heat on water or other fluids. The resulting steam spins turbine generators to produce electricity.
There are four utility-sized CSP plants in the United States today; one in Nevada and three in California.
EPRI will direct and manage the initial phase of the project, which also has attracted interest from PNM, a New Mexico utility; Xcel Energy; San Diego Gas & Electric Co.; Southern California Edison; and El Paso Electric.
Officials said PNM initiated discussions with the goal of constructing a CSP plant by 2010.
The first phase includes forming a team of CSP experts from electric utilities, engineering firms and national laboratories to provide technical expertise, review and guidance as the project progresses.
Team members will include representatives from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratory, among others, according to Tri-State.
Project partners also will evaluate various economic, technological and regulatory issues involved in building a 50-500 MW plant. The initial study will cost about $400,000. The feasibility study is expected to be finished by the end of 2007, when participants will decide whether to proceed with the project.
Reprinted from an article by Steven Johnson in Electric Co-op Today.