| Abstract |
There is an opportunity to add a concentrated solar power (CSP) system to an existing geothermal power plant. The addition of the CSP system would create a hybrid project that maintains or improves the power output of the geothermal power plant facility. If viable, this opportunity is important because the marriage of two or more renewable energy technologies can optimize resources and support the following concepts: • promote the energy park concept, • increase the cost-effectiveness of developing utility scale renewable technologies, • support the goals and objectives of the Western Governors’ Association - Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), and • encourage Geothermal and Solar stakeholder collaboration. CSP systems use mirrors or lenses to concentrate a large area of sunlight onto a small area. In CSP stand alone projects, electrical power is produced when the concentrated light is converted to heat, which drives a heat engine (usually a steam turbine) connected to an electrical power generator. In a CSP/Geothermal hybrid project the heat would be used to heat the spent brine or another working fluid. This paper describes a variety of potential hybrid projects and includes discussions on (1) CSP technologies, (2) hybrid project scenarios, (3) hybrid project cost and benefits, and (4) next steps. Although the paper focuses on hybrid project application to existing and future hydrothermal power plants, hybrid projects could have potential in enhanced geothermal systems. |