Hybrid power towers: A solar boost for natural gas in the Southwest
- National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO (United States)
A new concept to combine central receiver technology with highly efficient natural gas turbines has sparked interest among key utilities in the southwestern United States. The result is a fully dispatchable hybrid power tower that`s expected to use 30% less natural gas than its conventional counterpart. Developed by researcher at the US DOE`s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the hybrid power tower is the focus of a developing partnership with the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) in California. Although some solar advocates criticize the use of nonrenewable natural gas, the hybrid concept mitigates many of the current barriers to commercializing solar thermal technology. NREL`s innovative concept uses a small central receiver plant to preheat combustion air for natural gas turbines. Solar thermal energy displaces the use of nonrenewable fossil fuel throughout much of the day. When solar heat is no longer available, the natural gas turbines ensure continuous operation to meet a utility`s need for baseload, intermediate, or peaking power, as desired. The combined-cycle power tower has many attractive features, but the bottom line is it can be commercialized in today`s utility market.
- OSTI ID:
- 79362
- Journal Information:
- Solar Industry Journal, Journal Name: Solar Industry Journal Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 6; ISSN 1050-5660; ISSN SIJOE7
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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