Renewable Energy Technology Assessments - Kauai Island Utility ...

Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative
Renewable Energy Technology Assessments
3.0 Renewable Energy Technology
Options
Table 3-28. Solar Thermal Technology Characteristics.
Parabolic
Trough
Performance
Typical Duty Cycle Peaking -
Intermediate
Parabolic
Dish
As available,
Peaking
Central
Receiver
Peaking -
Intermediate
Solar
Chimney
Intermediate
- Baseload
Net Plant Capacity, MW 100 1.2 50 200
Integrated Storage? 12 hours No 16 Hours Yes
Capacity Factor, percent 40-55 20-25 60-80 60-80
Economics
Capital Cost, $/kW 5,200-6,500 3,900-5,200 6,500-9,100 4,600-5,900
Variable O&M, $/MWh 33-39 13-26 13-26 13-26
Levelized Cost, $/MWh 133-164 76-91 115-133 87-99
Technology Status
Commercial Status Early
Commercial
Demonstration
R&D R&D
Installed US Capacity, MW ~350 < 1 10 * < 1
Kauai Potential Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate
* No longer operating
Kauai Outlook
As with solar PV resources on the island, the southern and southwestern regions
of Kauai provide the most promising locations for solar thermal applications. Using
historical data and geographical information, predictive calculations indicate that a 1350
acre parabolic trough facility operating at 14 percent efficiency could generate 500 GWh
of electricity per year, which is in excess of the current annual electricity demand. 40 Such
a plant would be 228 MW if operated at a 25 percent capacity factor (no storage), and
114 MW at a 50 percent capacity factor (with storage). Parabolic trough is the preferred
technology in the near term, although other technologies offer the promise of greater
efficiency once they are proven.
It is unlikely that such a plant could be built in the next three years, but it may be
possible in a five to ten year timeframe. The table below indicates the potential of solar
thermal on Kauai.
40 Efficiency data statistic of National Renewable Energy Laboratory
21 March 2005 3-66 Black & Veatch