Solar Power World

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The Crossroads Solar Energy Project encompasses 4 square miles of private land. Large circular field of mirrors (heliostats) will reflect the sun’s energy onto a central receiver tower.

In a recent chat with Utility-scale SolarReserve, I learned they’re participating in a 150-MW solar project for Arizona. The project will use molten salt for energy storage. The company has received its final approval from the Arizona Corporation Commission for its Crossroads Solar Energy Project. The approval includes the associated transmission line connecting the project to Arizona Public Service’s transmission grid. “I am excited about this project,” Arizona Commissioner Sandra Kennedy said. ”I like the fact that the developers will seek to sell their solar power within Arizona, which I believe is a testament to our Renewable Energy Standard.”

Located on privately-owned land west of the Town of Gila Bend in Maricopa County, Arizona, the project will supply about 450,000 MWh annually of electricity to the state – enough to power up to 100,000 homes during peak electricity periods. The project will use a molten salt, power tower technology developed by Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, a division of United Technologies Corporation. The salt will enable the storage of 10 hours of solar energy and generate electricity on demand, even after the sun goes down. This energy storage capability provides a stable, predictable electricity source.

Using molten salt to store the energy produces will allow delivering it to the grid, even if the sun's not shining.

By using liquid salt to store the captured solar energy, energy can be delivered as needed, day and night. The stable electricity supply reduces grid reliability impacts from other intermittent renewable energy sources. The stored energy in the salt can be used to produce electricity even when there is no sunlight, if needed. This is beneficial in states where peak electricity demand can continue after the sun goes down and other solar resources can no longer operate. In addition, with highly efficient heat transfer properties, the liquid salt provides a cost-effective way to store renewable energy.

The project will create more than 450 construction jobs during the two-year construction period and up to 5,000 direct and induced jobs, including offsite supplier and supporting activities. The project’s capital cost is in excess of $500 million and expected to generate economic development in Gila Bend and throughout the region. It will employ at least 45 full-time, permanent operations staff throughout the 30-year project operating life and has an annual operating budget of up to $10 million per year, largely spent locally. Pending the receipt of a power purchase agreement, construction may begin in 2013.

SolarReserve www.solarreserve.com