The Energy Evolution - Hydrogen and Fuel Cells: Advances in Transportation and Power - page 36

cent of the state's generation capacity depends on natural gas for fuel,
compared to the U.S. average of 45 percent. This presents real challenges
with natural gas prices increasing. Many believe the low gas prices of the
1990s will not return. Imports of natural gas are increasing and over the
next few decades imports are expected to increase five-fold.
The $10 billion invested in modern technologies should provide
near-term solutions to meet Texas' growing need for power. It should in-
crease energy reliability and independence by expanding reserve margins
and diversifying supply. Overall, the plan should add an estimated 10 per-
cent to the power supply, enough to serve 6.5 million homes. This should
be adequate to meet demand through 2015.
There will be eleven new generation units at nine existing TXU
Power sites. The new units are expected to be operational by 2010. By us-
ing TXU's existing sites, rail facilities and other infrastructure, the cost of
the new units should be 3/4 the cost of a typical new development. The
selected sites will provide maximum leverage to existing infrastructure
while minimizing costs and allowing a more efficient construction time-
line. To reduce engineering, procurement, and construction costs, TXU will
work with exclusive partnerships with Bechtel Power and Fluor Corp.
TXU is also launching a new company, TXU Renew, to double its
renewable energy power by 2011. TXU Renew will invest in renewable
power facilities bringing TXU's total renewable energy to 1,400-MW with
enough wind energy to power almost 275,000 homes. TXU will also invest
up to $2 billion in the development and commercialization of integrated
gasification combined cycle (IGCC) technology.
References
Behar, Michael, “Warning: the Hydrogen Economy May Be More Distant Than It Appears,”
Popular Science , Volume 266 Number 1, January 2005, pp. 65-68.
Braun, Harry, The Phoenix Project: An Energy Transition to Renewable Resources, Research
Analysts: Phoenix, AZ, 1990.
Cothran, Helen, Book Editor, Global Resources: Opposing Viewpoints , Greenhaven Press,: San
Diego, CA, 2003.
Hordeski, Michael F., Alternative Fuels—The Future of Hydrogen , The Fairmont Press:, Lilburn,
GA, 2007.
Kemp, William H., The Renewable Energy Handbook , Aztext Press,: Ontario, Canada, 2005.
Romm, Joseph J., The Hype About Hydrogen , Island Press: Washington, Covelo, London,
2004.
Schneider, Stephen Henry, Global Warming , Sierra Club Books,: San Francisco, CA, 1989.
U.S. Census Bureau, Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2003 (123rd edition), Washington,
DC., 2003.