Environmental aspects of SEGS solar power plants
- KJC Operating Co, Boron, CA (United States)
The Solar Electric Generating Systems (SEGS) use parabolic trough mirror collectors to gather thermal energy to produce commercial-scale electrical power. There are nine SEGS plants currently operating in California`s Mojave Desert, with a total combined capacity of 354 MW. The major environmental feature of the SEGS plants is the advantage of displacing fossil fuel combustion. There are a number of aspects of these solar plants that are common to conventional power plants, and a few unique aspects which require specific measures to minimize environmental impacts of plant operation. The aspects common to conventional power plants include: emissions from supplementary natural gas-fired boilers, wastewater, and wastes from maintenance activities. The unique aspects are primarily related to the use of a hydrocarbon heat transfer fluid. In this day of increasing environmental concern, solar plants have become an increasingly attractive option. However, even the minimal impacts of the solar plant must be addressed and controlled for maximum overall improvement for the environment.
- OSTI ID:
- 109912
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950725--; ISBN 0-89553-167-4
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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