Schwartz, Cynthia L. --- "Concentrated Thermal Solar Power and the Value of Water for Electricity" [2011] ELECD 1025; in Kenney, S. Douglas; Wilkinson, Robert (eds), "The Water–Energy Nexus in the American West" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2011)

Book Title: The Water–Energy Nexus in the American West

Editor(s): Kenney, S. Douglas; Wilkinson, Robert

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781849809368

Section: Chapter 6

Section Title: Concentrated Thermal Solar Power and the Value of Water for Electricity

Author(s): Schwartz, Cynthia L.

Number of pages: 13

Extract:

6. Concentrated thermal solar power
and the value of water for electricity
Cynthia L. Schwartz

6.1. INTRODUCTION

The abundance of sunlight is a critical component in the application of
solar energy conversion technologies. Business developers, government
leaders and solar supporters have promoted Arizona's 300-plus days
of sunshine as a key factor in the production of readily available green
energy. Some advertise that Arizona is `poised to become the North
American capital of solar power' (Gelt, 2008). When people think about
solar energy, they frequently envision rows of shiny, rectangular photo-
voltaic (PV) panels mounted on top of residential rooftops providing a
non-polluting and sustainable energy source. PV panels convert sunlight
directly into electricity via semiconductors. Another approach to conver-
sion of sunlight to electrical energy is to produce heat to boil water and
then employ steam turbines similar to those used in other thermal power
production processes.
Large-scale concentrated solar power (CSP) projects using thermal
energy conversion technology are proposed and being developed in parts
of the southwest. Advantages of the thermal process include improved
ability to manage intermittency with thermal storage capability and com-
petitive cost per kilowatt hour. Since project developers seek to employ
the most cost-effective and quickest way to install technology, PV has not
generally been their first choice in the past. Under current regulatory and
management structures, the electricity provider would like the energy tech-
nology to act like a conventional power plant. Though it provides power
at peak ...