Solar Energy: Location Is Everything? Scott Peterson Environmental Engineering Texas A&M Increasing population and decreasing fossil fuel reserves require that we change our energy system from its current reliance on fossil fuels (80%) The successor chosen should be a sustainable energy source Sustainable means  Renewable  Environmentally Friendly Solar power has the possibility to meet these requirements

Energy Sources Source: BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2003

Energy Consumption Source: BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2003

Increasing Population Source: Values for for the low, medium, high and constant scenarios were obtained from World Population Prospects:The 1998 Revision, vol. I, Comprehensive Tables (United Nations, publication, Sales No. E.99.XIII.9). All other values are the result of the long-range projections.

Worldwide Energy Demand Based on 1.5 ton oil equivalent per capita, (1970s), and respectively Based on 1.5 ton oil equivalent per capita, (1970s), and respectively

CO 2 Emissions

Is Solar Power Feasible? In 2003 Texas Consumed 322,685,955 MWhours In 2003 Texas Consumed 322,685,955 MWhours It would take roughly 11kmx11km in 7.66kWhm -2 d -1 solar area It would take roughly 11kmx11km in 7.66kWhm -2 d -1 solar area

What is CSP?

Parabolic Troughs Currently Best Sunlight is concentrated on pipe Sunlight is concentrated on pipe 150 MW Plant 150 MW Plant

Placement Unfortunately it isn’t this simple Unfortunately it isn’t this simple We need to Consider We need to Consider  Losses to Resistance  Stability (e.g. Volcanic Eruptions)  Existing Infrastructure  Where is the power needed?

Goals Automate Process to a Degree Automate Process to a Degree Use Electricity Demand GIS Data Use Electricity Demand GIS Data Allow Users to Input Timeframe Allow Users to Input Timeframe Output Desirability Map Output Desirability Map Enable the Process for Multiple Uses (Solar, Wind, and so forth) Enable the Process for Multiple Uses (Solar, Wind, and so forth)

Case Study: Dallas Geographic Data of Demand is very difficult to achieve Geographic Data of Demand is very difficult to achieve Dallas Used to Test Different Concepts Dallas Used to Test Different Concepts

Initial Cost Allocation Cost allocation via transmission lines and arbitrary estimate for costs of installing new High Voltage lines Cost allocation via transmission lines and arbitrary estimate for costs of installing new High Voltage lines Cities are also included as no new transmission line cost Cities are also included as no new transmission line cost

Resistance Depends on Length and Area Resistance Depends on Length and Area Power inversely proportional to Length Power inversely proportional to Length High Voltages increase power High Voltages increase power Resistance of a Wire

Resistivity Has Great Affect Shows maps of ideal placement only focusing on different resistance/L Shows maps of ideal placement only focusing on different resistance/L Vary the losses to resistance Vary the losses to resistance

Time Cost Allocation Must take into account the CSP efficiency Must take into account the CSP efficiency source source Can be used to Calculate cost Can be used to Calculate cost Plant life estimates for trough around 30yrs Plant life estimates for trough around 30yrs

Total Cost Break Even: Initial + resistance losses=sales Break Even: Initial + resistance losses=sales This depends on the electricity sales value This depends on the electricity sales value The value of electricity is increasing The value of electricity is increasing Market uncertainty makes prediction difficult Market uncertainty makes prediction difficult

Other Ideas Use Electricity Demand and Solar Availability to create “Solar Shed” maps Use Electricity Demand and Solar Availability to create “Solar Shed” maps Then data tools designed for watersheds can be used Then data tools designed for watersheds can be used

Electricity Demand Data Can be calculated on a per meter basis by Can be calculated on a per meter basis by Is this accurate? No. In 2003 Electricity Breakdown was Is this accurate? No. In 2003 Electricity Breakdown was While these other distributions are not identical to population they are close While these other distributions are not identical to population they are close ResidentialCommercialIndustrialTotal MWh121,354,82696,694,234104,546,895322,685,955

Map of Electricity Demand

Difference at 0.001% Coverage

Conclusions Our methods of providing power must change Our methods of providing power must change Solar Power placement is important Solar Power placement is important Interesting: PV systems not economically feasible, CSP systems almost are, However PV systems gaining market acceptance faster. Interesting: PV systems not economically feasible, CSP systems almost are, However PV systems gaining market acceptance faster.