SES Applauds Approval of Sunrise Powerlink by Cpuc
December 18 2008
Sunrise Powerlink Essential to Delivering Power from SES’s Solar Two Project
Phoenix-based Stirling Energy Systems (SES) today applauded the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) approval of the Sunrise Powerlink Transmission Project. The decision - an alternate offered by President Michael Peevey - approves the transmission line on the so-called southern route, which avoids Anza Borrego Desert State Park.
SES CEO Steve Cowman stated that “The Commission is to be commended for approving this important transmission project that will link the extensive solar resources in the Imperial Valley to the San Diego region. The Sunrise Powerlink will provide a vital transmission line that will allow Stirling Energy to develop the full potential of its SES Solar Two solar farm.” Cowman offered support for Sunrise at the CPUC’s business meeting today noting that a vote to approve Sunrise ”...will improve certainty for our key chain of suppliers.”
SES has a Purchase Power Agreement (PPA) with San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) for the output of the SES Solar Two project, which will be constructed in two primary phases. The first phase will include 12,000 SunCatcher dishes generating 300 megawatts. The second phase will generate 450 megawatts using an additional 18,000 solar dishes, together helping SDG&E and California achieve their renewable energy goals. Ultimately SES may develop up to 900 MW under the PPA. Solar Two will provide electricity for approximately 500,000 homes in the greater San Diego region.
The California Energy Commission (CEC) is the lead state agency for issuing permits necessary to construct the Solar Two project. SES’s Application for Certification (AFC) for Solar Two was submitted to the CEC on June 30, 2008, and was deemed ‘data adequate’ by the CEC in October. Data adequacy is a key step in the CEC permitting process and triggers the CEC’s 12-month timeline to complete processing of the Solar Two project. The 2,600-page application addresses numerous issues related to developing the project - including environmental, biological and workforce impacts.
The Stirling Energy SunCatcher dish is the most efficient solar technology in the world and converts sunlight into electricity with no greenhouse gas emissions. Each dish is 38 feet tall, 40 feet wide and generates 25,000 watts of power. The SunCatcher technology consumes no water for cooling and uses very little water to keep the mirrors clean.
Stirling Energy Systems
SES was formed in 1996 to develop and commercialize advanced solar technology. The company maintains corporate headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, offices in Berkeley and Tustin, California, and engineering and test site operations at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The SES SunCatcher is a concentrating solar power (CSP) technology that uses mirrors to concentrate the sun’s energy and convert it to electricity. CSP technologies include dish systems, parabolic troughs, power towers and concentrating photovoltaic. The dish concentrator tracks, collects and focuses the sun’s energy and the Stirling engine converts the thermal energy to grid quality electricity. The SunCatcher technology has significant advantages including power conversion efficiency, cost competitiveness and low water usage. The SunCatcher is a zero emission renewable energy technology. NTR owns a controlling stake in SES.
NTR plc
NTR plc is a leading international developer and operator in renewable energy and sustainable waste management. Founded in 1978, NTR has evolved from being a developer and operator of infrastructure in Ireland to an international developer and operator of renewable energy (wind, solar and bio-ethanol), and sustainable waste management businesses in the USA, UK, and Ireland. The company employs over 4,100 people and has a market capitalization approximating €600m
More information can be found at http://www.stirlingenergy.com