Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Solar technologies . DOE's R and D goal is for solar power to be unsubsidized
and cost competitive with conventional technologies by 2015 by, for example,
developing new thin-film photovoltaic technologies using less expensive
semiconductor material than crystalline-silicon to reduce the manufacturing cost
of solar cells. Specifically, DOE is working to reduce the costs of photovoltaic
systems from about 18-23 cents per kilowatt hour in 2005 to about 5-10 cents per
kilowatt hour in 2015. DOE is also conducting R and D to reduce the cost and
improve the reliability of concentrating solar power technologies, which use
various mirror configurations to convert the sun's energy to heat to generate
electricity. In addition, DOE has expanded R and D to address low-cost thermal
storage to allow solar thermal systems to be more valuable to utility grid power
markets. Along these lines, both the photovoltaic and concentrated solar power
activities have ramped up efforts in the areas of grid integration and reliability to
facilitate the transition to larger scale, centralized solar electric power plants.
Investors' concerns about high up-front capital costs are among the most
significant challenges in deploying photovoltaic or concentrating solar energy
technologies. This requires both technologies to have lower costs for installation
and operations and maintenance, better efficiency of converting solar power to
electricity, and longer-term (20 to 30 years) durability.
DOE's R and D Challenges for Advanced
Fossil Energy Technologies
Since fiscal year 2006, DOE has proposed eliminating its R and D in oil and
natural gas and, in January 2008, announced a restructuring of its coal R and D
program.
Increased Oil Production
Since fiscal year 2006, DOE has proposed to terminate its oil R and D. In
November 2007, we reported that DOE has focused its R and D on increasing
domestic production primarily by improving exploration technologies, extending
the life of current oil reservoirs, developing drilling technology to tap into deep oil
deposits, and addressing environmental protection. DOE officials stated that if the
oil R and D program continues, it would focus on such areas as enhanced oil
recovery technologies and expanding production from independent producers.
Independent producers account for about 68 percent of domestic oil production.
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