Xcel Energy is working with scientists at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo., to work out details of a proposed concentrating solar power (CSP) plant, according to a report in the Rocky Mountain News.

Concentrating solar power uses reflective mirrors that focus sunlight to run a heat-engine. The 200MW project — Colorado's biggest — would cost between $300 million and $500 million and, if approved by state regulators, would go online in 2015, the company says.

The advantage of CSP is that utilities can, at a relatively small cost, incorporate thermal storage, the company said. Having such storage allows the solar plant to keep producing electricity even after the sun sets. Arizona Public Service Co. announced a 280MW CSP project earlier this year that would store heat up to six hours, serving 70,000 customers. Nationwide, CSP projects totaling 4,000MW are on the books.

Want to use this article? Click here for options!
© 2007 Penton Media, Inc.