Xcel Energy's hybrid solar-coal demonstration plant, located at its Cameo Generating Station near Grand Junction, Colo., has begun operation. The project uses parabolic-trough solar technology integrated with a coal-fired power plant.
According to Xcel Energy, the project is designed to increase the plant's efficiency, decrease the use of coal, test the commercial viability of concentrating solar power thermal integration and lower carbon dioxide emissions. Abengoa Solar developed the parabolic-trough technology, which concentrates solar energy to provide heat for producing supplemental steam for electric power production.
SOURCE: Xcel Energy
