Environmental assessment of the US Department of Energy's solar-thermal technology program
- eds.
This document identifies generic environmental concerns in compliance with NEPA and may be used in planning for research in environmental controls, or as a resource document to aid in impact statements. Potential environmental, health, and safety impacts of solar thermal energy systems (STES) are assessed as minor in most cases. Public health issues appear to be limited to concern about accidental or mismanaged off-site releases of heat-transfer/storage fluids, or solid waste from solar ponds, and the possible nuisance of misdirected solar glare. Reasonable operating and maintenance procedures can mitigate these health and safety concerns. Potential ecological and micrometeorological impacts relate to land requirements of large-scale systems in undeveloped areas, but tend to be site-specific keyed to the duration of construction activities and the size of the work force, and to the fragility of desert ecosystems. In undeveloped areas, uncertainties exist regarding the effect of large-scale loss of habitat on surrounding ecosystems, and the presence of the facility on the behavior of nearby wildlife. Regional or local climatic changes are not anticipated. Because STES are material intensive, secondary impacts are associated with processing, manufacture, and transport of components and subsystems. These are judged minor.
- Research Organization:
- California Univ., Los Angeles (USA). Lab. of Biomedical and Environmental Sciences
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76SF00012
- OSTI ID:
- 5178305
- Report Number(s):
- UCLA-12/1372; ON: DE82018256
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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