Potential for salt-gradient solar ponds in New York state. Final report

Technical Report · Wed Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:6778374

Eggert, R J

This study investigates the technical and economic feasibility of salt-gradient solar ponds under the specific conditions which exist in New York. The study critiques available solar radiation data and develops more reliable estimates for the state; calculates the probable output of ponds built in the state; estimates the costs of ponds ranging in size from 1600 square feet to fifty acres; and analyzes the financial feasibility of ponds for different common applications in New York. Only low-temperature thermal applications - space heating, domestic water heating, and process heat - are considered. The financial analysis is based on a computerized program which compares the cost of solar pond systems with the cost of computerized energy systems. The program incorporates assumptions about depreciation, investment tax credits, income tax rates, and other financial parameters. The study considers the sensitivity of simple payback and other financial indicators to changes in discount rates and debt/equity ratios. Previous solar pond research and the salt-gradient pond concept are described. The study investigated the feasibility of ponds at specific sites in New York. It includes a preliminary design and financial analysis for five sites.

• Research Organization: Urban Systems Research and Engineering, Inc., Cambridge, MA (USA); AIDCO Maine Corp., Orr's Island (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6778374
• Report Number(s): NYSERDA-82-32; ON: DE83901308
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
141000* -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
299001 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Solar-- (1989-)
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COST
DEPRECIATION
DESIGN
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
ENERGY YIELD
EQUIPMENT
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FEDERAL REGION II
INSOLATION
LIFE-CYCLE COST
MARKET
NEW YORK
NORTH AMERICA
PAYBACK PERIOD
PERFORMANCE
PONDS
SALINITY GRADIENTS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR PONDS
SURFACE WATERS
TAX CREDITS
USA
YIELDS