thermal

America wants grid parity for CSP by 2015

Abengoa Solar has been selected by the country's Department of Energy (DOE) to develop two research projects to fasten the transition towards competitive Concentration Solar Power (CSP).

The two R&D projects, which have a budget close to $14 m, are part of an effort to reach grid parity for Concentration Solar Power (CSP) in America. So far only Spain seemed on track to achieve this.

The first one of the projects, which is the most important one, includes research for storage of energy using parabolic troughs. The goal is to reduce current costs by 20 - 25%. Storage is a critical issue to make this technology competitive, according to Mr Santiago Seage, President of Abengoa Solar, the leading company in this technology worldwide.

Abengoa was also selected to carry out three additional projects for the DOE last December, also focused on parabolic troughs.

Besides, the Seville-based company is currently working on several CSP initiatives in Europe: the Cenit program, with 24 million euros from the EU's 7th framework program.

For additional information:

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