The US Department of Energy has announced $22 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to support community renewables projects and $52.5 million for research into concentrating solar power.
The $22 million will support the planning and installation of up to four community renewable energy projects, including solar, wind, biomass and geothermal systems.
The DOE expects that the $21.45 million that it will make available for each project will be matched from public and private investment sources.
Applications are due by September 3 and the final four will be selected by the end of November. Successful applicants will be assisted through the planning and deployment stages of the project by the DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).
Meanwhile, the DOE is investing $52.5 million in research to improve the potential storage capacity of concentrating Solar Power (CSP).
CSP technologies concentrate the sun’s energy, which is captured as heat to drive an engine or turbine producing electricity. Systems can provide low-cost energy storage – to extend the period over which they provide electricity – but current utility-scale power plants do not have the capability.
The new funds will aim to develop and deploy CSP systems that enable low-cost electricity to be produced for at least 18 hours a day.
For further information:
www.energy.gov/
www.recovery.gov/
www.eere.energy.gov/
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Concentrating solar technology ready for deployment (10-Jul)
Southern California Edison signs deal for solar power towers with eSolar (3-Jun 2008)
UK company launches novel solar collector (30-Apr 2008)
Obama recovery plan signed into law (18-Feb)
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