Solar energy in the desert
Large solar energy system located in the desert, concentrate the sun's energy for the production of high-temperature heat for industrial processes or convert it into electricity, which enters the network in case of peak loads. Calculations show that only seven southwestern states in the country can provide 7 million MW of solar power - about 10 times more than all the energy producing capacity of the U.S. at the moment.
In the world there are four concentrating solar power technologies.
Until now, the technology Hub is the best for workers and economic characteristics. Since the mid 80's in the Mojave Desert, California , regularly operate nine systems with total capacity of 354 MW.
Natural gas and other fuels can be a source of additional heating, if sunlight is not enough, this way the electricity may be generated at any time when required. In addition, the developed technology of heat storage.
Since then, as the first system capacity of 14 MW was installed in California, the cost of power generation has fallen from 45 cents per kWh to 9.12 cents per kWh It is expected that by 2020 the cost will drop to 4.7 cents.
In the south-western United States planned to install several systems in the concentration of solar energy that is stimulated by the new policy at the federal level and at the state level, as well as higher prices for natural gas. In Nevada the company Solargenix builds solar concentrator 64 MW, which should be launched in early 2009. Previously hubs needed a 25% reserve capacity, this requires only 2%. Sterling Energy Systems has signed a contract for the sale of energy from the grid by two Californian companies to 1750 MW and plans to begin construction of a new system in California .
Companies grid in the states that have high potential for solar energy ( Arizona , California , Nevada and New Mexico ), also plans to install solar parabolic systems. So far in the world there is no existing solar systems with a central receiver in Spain in the construction stage is the only generator of 11 MW. According to the report of the ad hoc working group of governors of the Association of Western states over the next decade in the United States can install solar central receiver system with a total capacity of 4000 MW, which will create thousands of jobs.
In order to make possible the development potential of solar energy, further reducing the cost of constructing solar systems through improved technology, economies of scale, rationalization of assembly technology, and develop cost-effective energy storage technologies.
South-west United States has one of the largest solar energy resources in the world, with most of its potential is located near large cities and territories are unlikely to have any more economic use. Located in the desert solar concentrators can provide a significant share of energy production in the country.