Showing papers on "Grid parity published in 1989"

Cost of Electricity

Abstract: Fuel costs are a major component of electricity prices because the cost of generating electricity is the primary determinant of electricity prices. The cost of generation makes up nearly 60 percent of the retail price of electricity, according to the federal Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration. Fuel is the electricity industry’s largest single expense. Coal and natural gas are the fuels used to generate almost 70 percent of the electricity in the U.S.

SERI (Solar Energy Research Institute) solar radiation resource assessment project: FY 1988 annual progress reort

Abstract: The earth receives vast amounts of energy from the sun in the form of incident solar radiation. Solar radiation drives the earth's weather and sustains life. As a result of the increasing costs, uncertain availability, and potentially severe environmental impacts of other sources of energy, insolation is being considered as a clean renewable energy source for our needs for heating, cooling, electricity, and fuels. Widespread interest and activities were initiated immediately after the oil embargo of the mid-1970s. For many applications, the insolation must be converted to a different form, such as heat, electricity, or a fuel (liquid, gas, or solid). A technology that can do this is known as a solar energy conversion device or technology. A wide range of candidate technologies is being developed. Some of these technologies include photovoltaics (converting insolation to electricity), solar thermal (converting insolation to heat), solar thermal-electric (converting insolation to heat, then to electricity), and biomass (converting insolation to biomass and then to fuels). 11 refs., 37 figs., 10 tabs.

Recommendations for improvements in the design and operation of future solar central receiver power plants based on experience gained from the Solar One Pilot Plant

Abstract: The Solar One Pilot Plant successfully demonstrated the feasibility of solar central receiver power plants. During its operating years many data were collected regarding the efficiency and availability of the various plant systems. The author summarizes these statistics and compares them with goals developed by the Department of Energy. On the basis of this comparison, design and operation improvements are recommended. >

Refitting a major microwave radio system with photovoltaic power supplies

Abstract: The authors report on the planning and implementation of a solar refit program on part of the Panaftel microwave system in West Africa, linking Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Benin. It is concluded that in spite of the high initial capital cost, conversion from fuel-dependent power systems to photovoltaic (PV) systems on major microwave routes can be economically sound. The main saving is in fuel cost. Although routine and emergency maintenance will in all probability be reduced, overall maintenance expenditures may not be very different between fuel-dependent systems and PV systems. This is due to the high cost of periodic replacement of aging batteries that is necessary. The effect of conversion on telecommunication system availability is positive, although it was not possible to quantify this factor due to other improvements being introduced during the same time frame. A simplification of maintenance power requirements is foreseeable with the introduction of PV systems. >

The introduction of space technology power systems into developing countries

Abstract: Between 1978 and 1984, NASA-Lewis was responsible for the design, fabrication, installation and operational support of 57 photovoltaic power systems in 27 countries. These systems were installed in locations not served by a central power system and ranged in size from 40 W for powering street lights to 29 kW for providing power to a complete village. Several of the system projects had socio/economic studies components that provided for an assessment of how the introduction of both electricity and a novel high technology power system affected the users and their society.