Institute to study solar in New Mexico

PALO ALTO, Calif., June 28 (UPI) -- The Electric Power Research Institute has announced a new project to study the feasibility of concentrating solar power in New Mexico.

Unlike conventional flat-plate solar or photovoltaic panels, concentrating solar power uses reflectors to concentrate the heat and generate electricity more efficiently.

There are four utility-sized CSP plants in the United States today, one in Nevada and three in California.

The first component is the formation of a team of CSP experts from electric utilities, engineering firms and national laboratories to provide technical expertise, review and guidance as the project progresses.

Team members will include representatives from Black and Veatch, Nexant, New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratory, Western Resource Advocates and the Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy.

The second component of the first phase is a comprehensive feasibility assessment to examine the site, technological, performance, economic, environmental and regulatory issues surrounding the development of a 50 to 500 megawatt CSP plant.

The second phase of the project is system engineering design and permitting and the third is construction. The feasibility study is expected to be finished by the end of 2007, at which time participants will decide whether findings warrant moving to the system design and permitting phase.

Initiated by New Mexico utility PNM the project will be directed and managed by EPRI. PNM has expressed interest in building a CSP plant in New Mexico by 2010. San Diego Gas & Electric Co., Southern California Edison, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, El Paso Electric and Xcel Energy have also agreed to participate in the first phase of the project.