Last week, Abengoa, BrightSource Energy, and Torresol Energy (some of the world's top concentrating solar power companies) launched the Concentrating Solar Power Alliance (CSPA). “The new organization is dedicated to educating U.S. regulators, utilities and grid operators about the unique benefits of concentrating solar power (CSP) and of thermal energy storage as a foundational resource for a reliable, low-carbon electricity mix and a driver of economic growth,” a news release stated. “Concentrating solar power technology is the only renewable resource that is capable of harnessing the world's most abundant fuel source – the sun – to produce reliable, cost-effective, and dispatchable electricity,” said Tex Wilkins, Executive Director of the CSP Alliance. “We believe CSP, with the ability to dispatch electricity when it is needed, is critical in meeting the energy challenges facing the United States and the world.” There is debate about whether rooftop solar PV or concentrating solar power (CSP) is better. There are many arguments made against CSP, such as CSP's water use and price and even its touted energy storage potential, and there are many arguments made for it (you can see some of those above and below). I think CSP has an important role to play in the future electricity mix of the United States and other countries, even though I do greatly value the decentralized nature of rooftop solar PV. And, really, I don't see them as competing as much as supplementing each other (though, in some ways, it's clear they do compete). So, I'm happy to hear that the CSP industry is uniting to better present its case and push for this less-well-known form of clean energy. Here's more from the CSPA news release on its specific mission and goals: “The Alliance's mission is to promote the increased acceptance, adoption and implementation of concentrating solar power plants in the United States. The Alliance will also promote policies to encourage and advance CSP technology deployment.” ** Source: Clean Technica BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/XlkDM Tags: Energy, Solar, Solar Power Section: Going Green
