SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY SOLAR REPOWERING PROGRAM, FINAL REPORT, CONCEPTUAL DESIGN AND EVALUATION

by GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY,

Technical Report, 1980

Barcode

CSP Unique ID 190683155

Status

Electronic Resource

Call number

**Click on MARC view for more information on this report.**

Publication

DOE SF 10741 1 Volume 1; Report; July 1980.

Language

Library's review

ABSTRACT:
Solar technology needs a successful demonstration project to meet national energy independence goals. General Electric and Southwestern Public Service Company consider the use of solar energy a viable alternative to conventional sources of energy. After an extensive nine-month study, the
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companies consider the application of the sodium central receiver technically feasible for repowering of fossil fuel installations. Additional engineering required to integrate the solar power source with the existing Plant X Unit 3 represents no major technical problem.

Southwestern Public Service Company participated in the development of a cost estimate for the demonstration project. They believe the cost estimate proposed in the repowering study is valid. In the development plan portion of the study, a management program is presented that will result in a project that can be successfully completed with the lowest practical expenditure. Southwestern would emphasize that maintaining an aggressive schedule for completion and start-up by mid-1985 is important for cost control and a successful project.

We recognize that demonstration project economics are specific to the installation, and a first-of-a-kind facility usually costs more than subsequent ones. The best use of development funds would be to demonstrate solar repowering technology for future commercial applications of solar electric power. The economic advantage of the Plant X repowering project predicted in the report is a fuel savings of over one billion cubic feet of natural gas per year.

Southwestern, an owner/operator of a number of power plant facilities, does not foresee extraordinary safety hazards associated with the sodium central receiver concept. Southwestern has selected sodium for its heat transfer medium because of proven industrial technology which offers superior characteristics in providing for repowering of existing reheat machines.

A General Electric/Southwestern survey for additional solar repowering sites of gas-fired generating system equipment operated by SPS indicated a favorable potential for the solar re powering concept. However, strong economic incentives, component cost reductions, and resolution of regulatory uncertainties will be needed before future solar repowering can become an attractive option to Southwestern and other utilities.

General Electric and Southwestern Public Service Company conclude that the Plant X repowering conceptual design study lays the foundation for construction and operation of a solar demonstration facility. It is our opinion that a repowering demonstration facility is needed to develop acceptable experience for the commercial use of solar technology in the nation's utility industry
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