Environmental and Energy Study Institute

Renewable Energy Discussion Series
Concentrating Solar Power

On May 16, 2008, the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the offices of Senators Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) held a meeting to explore the potential of concentrating solar power. With over 400 Megawatts in operation and another 4,000 Megawatts of projects in the pipeline, utility-scale solar power could be the hottest technology in the U.S. electric industry. But can the sun really provide a significant amount of our electricity? How fast can this industry grow? Speakers for this event included:

• Dr. Tom Mancini, Concentrating Solar Power Program Manager, Sandia National Laboratory
  Presentation (pdf)
• Dr. Fred Morse, Senior Advisor of U.S. Operations, Abengoa Solar, Inc
  Presentation (pdf)

EESI Factsheet on Concentrating Solar Power

This was first in a series of informal conversations about renewable energy technologies. The series was intended to help Senate staffers better understand the possibilities of different kinds of renewable energy. A small group of energy experts led each interactive discussion, and answered a variety of questions, including:

• How does the technology work?
• Where is it currently used and where can it be deployed?
• How much of our energy could we get from the technology?
• What are the upfront costs and long term benefits?
• How many design, construction, operation, & maintenance jobs are created?

Click here for information from the second discussion, focusing on small wind turbines.

Click here for information from the third discussion, focusing on solar photovoltaic technologies.