Abengoa Solar and Xcel Energy Announce Plans to Build First Solar Thermal Facility Integrated With A Coal-Fired Plant

Xcel Energy and Abengoa Solar have broken ground in Colorado on a demonstration parabolic trough concentrating power (CSP) plant at Xcel's Cameo coal-fired power plant near Grand Junction. The project will be the first to integrate a conventional electrical power plant with an industrial solar installation.

The plant, which is expected to be in operation by the end of the year, is the first of its kind based on the Innovative Clean Technology program approved by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission for implementation by Xcel.

The project's objective is "to prove that the heat produced by a solar facility can increase the efficiency of a conventional power plant while also lowering carbon dioxide emissions," according to the two firms.

David Wilks, president of energy supply for Xcel, the largest power generator in Colorado and a national leader in integrating renewable energy into its generating portfolio, said, "If this demonstration project works, we may be able to implement this type of technological advance in other coal-fired power plants to help further reduce carbon dioxide emissions in Colorado and possibly other areas of our service territory."

Ken May, director of Abengoa Solar IST, said, "Proper use of the solar thermal energy produced at these facilities can improve plant efficiency while lowering carbon dioxide emissions. The successful integration of solar and coal technologies will encourage more widespread use throughout the utility sector."

Abengoa is a Spanish-owned company with its American headquarters in Lakewood, which is located near Denver.

This is yet another example of why Colorado is quickly becoming known as the center of "the new energy economy." We will be watching the progress of this demonstration project with considerable interest.