A new kind of hybrid: Solar and geothermal working together in Nevada

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Enel Green Power North America is already tapping into Nevada's plentiful geothermal energy source. So it makes perfect sense to take advantage of the desert state's abundant sun as well. Enter the hybrid geothermal-solar plant — a new spin on an old idea that could help utilities move away from coal and natural gas-power plants in certain regions. The Achilles heel of solar and wind power is its variability. When the sun sets or the wind stops blowing, renewable power sources drop off, making it difficult to maintain a steady electricity supply. Co-generating power plants solve the variability problem by combining a renewable energy source (solar and wind for example) with a conventional fossil fuel like natural gas or coal. The fossil fuel provides the base load power and is used when the renewable source isn't avaibable. In other words, when the sun sets and solar power is no longer being generated, the natural gas source will step in to fill the void.

GE has pushed the bounds of the conventional co-generation power plant and introduced last spring a jet engine-inspired model that can transition rapidly between natural gas and renewable energy. But Enel's hybrid is the first to combine two renewable energy sources. Check out Enel's rendering of the project below.

The hybrid power plant received final regulatory approval earlier this month. And construction is already underway. Enel Green Power North American President Francesco Venturini and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid kicked off the 4th annual National Clean Energy Summit in Las Vegas on Tuesday with the construction announcement, the Las Vegas Sun reported.

The solar photovoltaic panels will be built at Enel's Stillwater Geothermal Plant in northern Nevada. The solar project will generate 24 megawatts of additional energy, which will be sold to NV Energy.

Until energy storage tech improves the hybrid renewable co-generation concept won't take off everywhere. But it could prove popular in certain regions that have a stable energy source like geothermal or even hydroelectric and another renewable option such as solar or wind.

http://www.smartplan...-in-nevada/8361

[kytwell 179]

Good thinking. Where I am, we have solar panels on the cover of landfill and the landfill is capped and we are tapping into the methane to spin a turbine to produce electricity. Our other old landfill, a nearby factory is using the methane gas for some purpose. We also have a trash to steam plant that has a solar panel array so that we still produce electricity, during daylight even when our plant is down for maintenance. Now if we could find a viable option for our ash residue, we'd be at 0 waste, for now we use it as daily landfill cover as it's required to be covered at the end of each working day.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Good thinking. Where I am, we have solar panels on the cover of landfill and the landfill is capped and we are tapping into the methane to spin a turbine to produce electricity. Our other old landfill, a nearby factory is using the methane gas for some purpose. We also have a trash to steam plant that has a solar panel array so that we still produce electricity, during daylight even when our plant is down for maintenance. Now if we could find a viable option for our ash residue, we'd be at 0 waste, for now we use it as daily landfill cover as it's required to be covered at the end of each working day.

Very cool. Is this a town or city?

[kytwell 179]

A county, containing many towns and maybe a city, not sure what pop# makes it a city.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

A county, containing many towns and maybe a city, not sure what pop# makes it a city.

May I ask where? What state?