An Investigative Report On Use of Concentrated Solar Power as Low/Zero Carbon Technology in United States

Name of the University
Assignment B: Sustainable Energy
An
Investigative Report
On
USE OF CONCENTRATED SOLAR POWER AS LOW/ZERO CARBON
TECHNOLOGY IN UNITED STATES
Course Code
Module Name
Student Name
Month
Year
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Executive Summary
Sustainable energy is a resource that cannot be depleted; however, are supportive of the ecosystem.
However, with an increase in emission of pollution in surrounding energy sources is leading to a
destructive path. Carbon emissions are affecting human lives by replacing it with oxygen present in
the surroundings. As a result, breathing has become a key concern. Therefore, the purpose of this
report is to suggest effective technology that produces low or zero amounts of carbon. The
investigation analyses the use of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technologies in the country United
States. Even though several schemes like Renewable Obligation Certificate Scheme and Feed-in
Tariffs are launched. Still, it is necessary to gather the current state and its applications in the region.
Therefore, the report has defined Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and its usage in context with the
United States. The report covered CSP technology and provided an in-depth investigation of the topic
thoroughly. Furthermore, the investigation included an overview of solar power, types, background,
and use of CSP in the U.S., like current state, impact, technical developments, costs, barriers,
opportunities.
Table of Contents
Executive Summary............................................................................................... 2
Introduction........................................................................................................... 4
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Low/Zero Carbon Energy Technology....................................................................4
Solar Power............................................................................................................ 4
Overview............................................................................................................ 4
Types.................................................................................................................. 5
Use of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) in the United States.................................5
Concentrated Solar Power (CSP).........................................................................5
Background..................................................................................................... 5
Technical Developments.................................................................................... 6
Variations in CSP Technologies........................................................................6
The current state of the technology...................................................................7
Impact on the energy system and other fuels....................................................9
Barriers and Opportunities............................................................................... 10
A personal view on the technology......................................................................11
Conclusion........................................................................................................... 12
References........................................................................................................... 13
Introduction
Energy is an important aspect to provide sustainability for society's preciously well beings of humans.
Without energy, mainstream facilities are impossible for production and delivery as it offers
economic, social, and environmental development to a country [1]. Thus, the requirement of energy is
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increasing and in-demand day-by-day. According to statistical records, world energy demand grows
by 45% from the year 2015-2030 and more than 300 % until the century is over [2]. With such rapid
demand, energy generation has become a huge responsibility for governments. However, the
production of energy produces carbon emissions resulting in the corruption of surroundings.
Electricity generation produces 43.5% global CO2 emission of 950 grams for each Kilowatt-hour of
energy [3]. Therefore, the world needs to accept the fact that alternative energy sources are capable of
controlling carbon emissions.
The low/zero carbon technology will not only produce energy; however, it will save surroundings
from suffering. Further, it offers storage mechanisms for saving energy in one place. Hence, this aim
of this investigation is to analyze the usage of low carbon energy technology in the region. The United
States is a vast country and is chosen as a prime region for investigation. Concentrated Solar Power is
chosen technology that uses lens and mirror to transfer the area of sunlight into the beam [4].
This report strategically defines the investigative topic on ‘Concentrated Solar Power.’ Firstly, the
term low/zero-carbon energy technology is identified, followed by the concept of solar power and its
types. Next, CSP technology and the working process is explored in brief. Furthermore, variations in
three types of CSP technologies are also provided in the section. Additionally, the usage and
application for CSP in country United States are discussed. In this section, the current state of
technology, impact, technical developments, as well as barriers and opportunities for CSP, is covered.
Lastly, perception for the usage of Concentrated Solar power is provided with substantial
improvements. Therefore, the report is organized as per technology and its application in a specific
region of the U.K. successfully.
Low/Zero Carbon Energy Technology
The carbon emissions are produced due to energy resources production resulting from coal-fired
mines. Furthermore, due to such emission, the environment becomes more pollution oriented.
Therefore, it is important to analyze the effective control mechanism for reducing such toxic levels.
Low/Zero-carbon energy is a new term which proposes effective technologies so that energy could be
recreated without CO2 emission. As per research studies, renewable energy sources develop almost
14% of the total world energy demand [5]. There are several technologies that produce low/zero
carbon and have been implemented in the U.K. BASF project was launched in 2007 under part of the
Creative Energy Homes project to provide a home as per low carbon-oriented compartment [6].
Hence, it is important to conclude that such technologies are essential and could create a habitat that is
pollution and toxin-free.
Solar Power
Overview
The use of solar power has been seen in different nations so that energy for electricity could be
developed. For example, in Africa, it is utilized for different solar resources like water, air, and steam
with the help of grid and off-grid solar photovoltaic [7]. The solar power could be obtained through
different methods divided as per demand and capability. Another study depicts that people are
working to introduce such techniques in the industry, especially the United States.
Types
There are two types of solar power technologies that are able to offer energy for electricity
consumption. It could also remove fossil fuel consumption with an effective approach followed.
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