California Licenses First Solar Thermal Power Plant in 20 Years
On August 25, the California Energy Commission approved construction of the 250 MW Beacon Solar Energy Project, the first solar thermal project permitted in the state in 20 years.
A subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources will build the concentrated solar generating facility on 2,012 acres on the western edge of the Mojave Desert. The parabolic trough solar thermal technology will produce electricity by heating fluids that transfer heat to drive steam generators.
During August, the Energy Commission also issued proposed decisions on a variety of solar projects totaling 2800 MW:
- 1,000 MW Blythe Solar Project
- 709 MW Imperial Valley Solar Project
- 250 MW Abengoa Mojave Solar Project
- 250 MW Genesis Solar Project
- 370 MW Ivanpah Solar System Project.
California's utilities are required to get 20% of their power from renewables by the end of this year. See the Energy Commission press releases on Beacon and Imperial projects, and August 18 edition of EERE Network News.
Speeding Bullet EV from Ohio State Claims World Speed Record
A team led by engineering students from Ohio State University has claimed a world land-speed record for electric vehicles (EVs) after their sleek Venturi Buckeye Bullet 2.5 averaged 307 mph across Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats on August 24.
The lithium-ion battery-powered EV, guided by a professional driver on the 12-mile course, smashed the previous 245 mph world land speed record for EVs set in 1999. The new mark is pending certification by the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the worldwide motor sports governing body.
Under competition rules, the Bullet had to make two speed runs, one each in opposite directions, within 60 minutes. At one point, the EV reached 320 mph. The Bullet 2.5 has the same body and chassis as the hydrogen fuel cell-powered Buckeye Bullet 2, which in 2009 set a FIA-certified world record of 302 mph. The team is supported by French EV manufacturer Venturi Automobiles. See the Ohio State press release and the Bullet Web site.
U.S. Used Less Energy, More Renewables in 2009
The US used significantly more wind power and less fossil fuels in 2009 than in 2008, according to a August 23 report by DOE's Lawrence Livermore National Lab (LLNL).
Use of solar, hydro, and geothermal also increased while natural gas declined.
2009 estimated U.S. energy use equaled 94.6 quadrillion Btu ("quads"), down from 99.2 quads in 2008. The average American household uses about 95 million Btu a year.
Wind power increased to .70 quads of primary energy in 2009 compared to .51 quads in 2008, most of which was tied directly to electricity generation, helping decrease coal-fired electricity production. See the LLNL press release and annotated report (PDF 853 KB).
++++
EREE Network News is a weekly publication of the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).
