skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Southwest utility expansion plans: implications for solar thermal electric technologies

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5710484· OSTI ID:5710484

This study documents the capacity expansion plans of the major Southwest Utilities with an emphasis on California. Included in this report, for these utilities, are the current total capacities and projected capacities through the end of this century, generic capacity additions, solar capacity additions, and a list of solar thermal projects that are in various stages of development. Also discussed are a number of factors that could affect the rate and the magnitude of solar thermal electric market penetration. Among these factors are future energy demand growth, the cost of producing energy from all potential sources, conservation and more stringent pollution control laws. New capacity additions will be required in the desert Southwest during the rest of this century. The California Energy Commission and the major California utilities have demonstrated their commitment to installing alternative forms of electricity production during this time period. Hence, it is recommended that the solar thermal community aggressively pursue the Southwest utilities as an area of early market penetration.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DR00789
OSTI ID:
5710484
Report Number(s):
SAND85-8022; ON: DE86011911
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English