The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Wednesday announced plans to provide up to $52.5 million to research, develop, and demonstrate Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) systems capable of providing low-cost electrical power both day and night.
CSP technologies concentrate the sun’s
energy and capture that energy as heat, which then drives an engine or
turbine to produce electrical power. CSP plants can include low-cost
energy storage, which allows them to provide electricity even when the
sun is not shining.
CSP technologies currently used in utility-scale
power plants typically do not have the capability/capacity for storage,
operating only during daytime hours. These projects will seek to
improve technology and novel system designs to extend operation to an
average of about 18 hours per day, a level of production that would
make it possible for a CSP plant to displace a traditional coal power
plant.
The competitive funding opportunity involves two areas: Research and development of concepts and components for a CSP systems; and evaluation of complete prototype systems.
DOE anticipates making up to 13 project awards totaling up to $52.5 million.
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