Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The U.S. Electric Utility Industry’s Activities in Solar and Wind Energy Survey and Perspective

  • Chapter
Advances in Solar Energy

Part of the book series: Advances in Solar Energy ((AISE,volume 6))

Abstract

U.S. electric utilities have played a key role in the massive effort undertaken world-wide in the early 1970’s to evolve technically-feasible and cost-effective renewable energy systems. Hundreds of utilities from all parts of the U.S. have conducted or participated in literally thousands of different activities and projects including resource assessments, technical and economic analyses, basic research and development, component and systems experiments and field tests, customer assistance and information programs, and various business ventures. In part as a result of the aggregate effort by utilities, several solar and wind power technologies are approaching economic competitiveness in bulk power use.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Abbreviations

AEC:

Alternative Energy Corporation

APS:

Arizona Public Service Company

BEST:

Battery Energy Storage Test

BPA:

Bonneville Power Administration

CEC:

California Energy Commission

CP&L:

Carolina Power & Light

CRTF:

Central Receiver Test Facility

CSWT:

Constant Speed Wind Turbine

DHW:

Domestic Hot Water

DOE:

Department of Energy

EEI:

Edison Electric Institute

EPRI:

Electric Power Research Institute

ERDA:

Energy Research and Development Administration

ESI:

Energy Sciences Inc.

ESI:

Energy Sciences Institute

FERC:

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

FPC:

Florida Power Corporation

FPL:

Florida Power & Light Company

GE:

General Electric Company

GMP:

Green Mountain Power Company

GPC:

Georgia Power Company

HCE:

Heat Collection Element

HECO:

Hawaiian Electric Company

HERS:

Hawaiian Electric Renewable Systems

HTF:

Heat Transfer Fluid

IPH:

Industrial Process Heat

IPP:

Independent Power Producer

ISES:

International Solar Energy Society

JPL:

Jet Propulsion Laboratory

LADWP:

Los Angeles Department of Water & Power

LCC:

Load Carrying Capability

LILCO:

Long Island Lighting Company

LOLP:

Loss of Load Probability

LRG:

Laminated Reflector Glass

MDC:

McDonnell Douglas Corporation

MSEE:

Molten Salt Electric Experiment

MSS/CTE:

Molten Salt Subsystem/Component Test Experiment

NASA:

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NEES:

New England Electric System

NSP:

Northern States Power Company

NITSCo:

Northeast Utilities Service Company

NYSERDA:

New York State Energy Research & Development Authority

OSU:

Oregon State University

OTEC:

Ocean-thermal Energy Conversion

PCU:

Power Conditioning Unit

PECo:

Philadelphia Electric Company

PG&E:

Pacific Gas & Electric Company

PNM:

Public Service Company of New Mexico

PSE&G:

Public Service Electric & Gas of New Jersey

PUC:

Public Utility Commission

PURPA:

Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978

PV:

Photovoltaic

PVUSA:

Photovoltaics for Utility Scale Applications

R&D:

Research and Development

REA:

Rural Electrification Administration

RTU:

Remote Terminal Unit

SCA:

Solar Collector Assembly

SCE:

Southern California Edison Company

SDG&E:

San Diego Gas & Electric Company

SDSU:

South Dakota State University

SEGS:

Solar Electric Generating System

SERI:

Solar Energy Research Institute

SHAC:

Solar Heating and Cooling

SMUD:

Sacramento Municipal Utility District

SRP:

Salt River Project

STAR:

Solar Test and Research Center

STEP:

Solar Total Energy Project

THD:

Total Harmonic Distortion

TUE:

Texas Utilities Electric Company

TVA:

Tennessee Valley Authority

U of W:

University of Washington

UCB:

Utility Coordination Board

USAB:

United Stirling, AB

USW:

U.S. Windpower

VISTA:

Virginia Integrated Solar Test Arrays

VP:

Virginia Power

VSWT:

Variable Speed Wind Turbine

WEPCO:

Wisconsin Electric Power Company

WPI:

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

WP&L:

Wisconsin Power & Light Company

References

  • Arizona Public Service Company (1988), Alternate Utility Team Utility Solar Central Receiver Study Volumes 1 and 2, DOE/AL/38741–2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arizona Public Service Company (1988), Arizona Public Service Utility Solar Central Receiver Study Volumes 1 and 2, DOE/AL/3874M.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arthur D. Little, Inc. (1977), System Definition Study: Solar Heating and Cooling Residential Project, EPRI ER-467-SY, Summary Report

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonneville Power Administration, U.S. Department of Energy (1985), Pacific Northwest Regional Wind Energy Assessment Program (Wind REAP) Summary, Report No. BPA 85–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonneville Power Administration, U.S. Department of Energy (1987), Cape Blanco Wind Farm Feasibility Study, Summary, DOE/BP-1191–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boutacoff, D. (1989), Emerging Strategies For Energy Storage, EPRI Journal.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bower, W., F.B. Brumley, and B. Petterson (1985), Engineering Evaluation Summary Report for American Power Conversion Corporation Model UI-4000 Utility-Interactive Residential Photovoltaic Power Conditioning System, Sandia Report, SAND 83–2601.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, K.C. (1983), Reexamining the Prospects for Solar Industrial Process Heat, Annual Review Energy, 8, pp. 509–530.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burkhart, L.A. (1989), External Social Costs as a Factor in Least-Cost Planning -An Emerging Concept, Public Utilities Fortnightly, pp. 43–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • California Energy Commission (1980), Wind Prospecting in Alameda and Solano Counties

    Google Scholar 

  • Collier, D.E. and T.S. Key (1988), Electrical Fault Protection For A Large Photovoltaic Power Plant Inverter, The Conference Record of the Twentieth IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference — 1988, Volume II, IEEE 88CH2527–0, pp. 1035–1042.

    Google Scholar 

  • D’Aiello, R.V., E.N. Tsesme, and D.A. Fagnan (1988), Performance of Solarex/ Philadelphia Electric Co. Amorphous Silicon PV Test Site, The Conference Record of the Twentieth IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference — 1988, Volume II, IEEE 88CH2527–0, pp. 1092–1097.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeMeo, E.A. (1988), Solar Photovoltaic Power: Evolution of U.S. Electric Utility Activities Over the Past Decade, Presented at Euroforum New Energies Congress and Exhibition, Saarbrücken, FRG, 7 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeMeo, E.A. (1989), Solar Photovoltaic Power for Electric Utilities: Status, Outlook, and Impacts, 1989 Conference on Technologies for Producing Electricity in the Twenty-First Century, San Francisco.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeWinkel, C.C. (1983), Wisconsin Power and Light Wind Energy Research and Demonstration Program, Presented at Energy Sources Technology Conference & Exhibition, Houston, Texas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giovacchino, D.J. (1983), Wind Power Status and Outlook, EPRI Conference Proceedings: Solar and Wind Power — 1982 Status and Outlook, EPRI AP-2884-SR, pp. 1–25 to 1–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eckert, P. (1987), Lessons Learned and Issues Raised at Sky Harbor — A Utility-Interactive Concentrator Photovoltaic Project, 1987 ASME Solar Energy Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii.

    Google Scholar 

  • Electric Power Research Institute (1986), Technical Assessment Guide, EPRI P-4463-SR.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eldridge, F.R. (1975), Wind Machines, Prepared for National Science Foundation with Cooperation of Energy Research and Development Administration, NSF-RA-N-75–051.

    Google Scholar 

  • Emslie, W.A. and C.J. Dollard (1988), Photovoltaic Pilot Plant, The Conference Record of the Twentieth IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference — 1988, Volume II, IEEE 88CH2527–0, pp. 1283–1288.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eyer, J.M., K. Firor, and D.S. Shugar (1988), Utility-Owned Distributed Photovoltaic Systems, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, The Conference Record of the Twentieth IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference — 1988, Volume II, IEEE 88-CH2527–0, pp. 1051–1055.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fagnan, D..A., R.V. D’Aiello, and J. Mongon (1987), SOLAREX /Philadelphia Electric Amorphous Silicon PV Test Site, Proceedings of the 19th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, New Orleans, LA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fagnan, D.A. and R.V. D’Aiello (1990), Update on the PECo/Solarex Thin Film Test Site, Solar Ceus 28, No. 2, p. 151.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fair, David (1985), Georgia Power Company Solar Total Energy Project Test Report for Thirty Consecutive Day Test, Shenandoah, Georgia: Georgia Power Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Georgia Power Company (1988), Solar Total Energy Project Summary Report, Sandia Contractor Report SAND87–7108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Green, J.C. (1988), Virginia Power Photovoltaic Field Test Experience, Proceedings 1988 Energy Technology Conference

    Google Scholar 

  • Gulachenski et. al. (1988), The Gardner, Massachusetts, 21st Century Residential Photovoltaic Project, presented at Solar 88, MIT.

    Google Scholar 

  • Halet, R.M. (1987), NSP Holland Wind Farm Annual Report for the Period December 1, 1986 to November 30, 1987, Northern States Power Research Department.

    Google Scholar 

  • Halet, R.M. (1988), NPS Holland Wind Farm Annual Report for the Period December 1, 1987 to December 31, 1988, Northern States Power Research Department.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hallet, R.W., R.J. Holl, and C. Bratt (1985), The Dish Stirling System for Solar Electric Power Production, Huntington Beach, California: McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hawaiian Electric Company (1989), Performance Assessment of Kahuku Point Wind Turbines, report to EPRI, RP1590–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hester, S. (1988), PVUSA — Advancing the State of the Art in Photovoltaics for Utility-Scale Applications, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, The Conference Record of the Twentieth IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference — 1988, Volume II, IEEE 88CH2527–0, pp. 1068–1074.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hicks, T.H. (1985), Georgia Power Company Solar Total Energy Project Test Report for Continuous Fourteen Day Commercial Operations, Shenandoah, Georgia: Georgia Power Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoff, T. and J.J. Iannucci (1988), Siting PV Plants: A Value Based Approach, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, The Conference Record of the Twentieth IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference — 1988, Volume II, IEEE 88CH2527–0, pp. 1056–1068.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoffner, J.E. (1989), Analysis of the 1988 Performance of Austin’s 300-Kilowatt Photovoltaic Plant, Proceedings of the 1989 Conference of the American Solar Energy Society ‘89, Denver, CO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holgersson, S. (1984), United Stirling’s Solar Engine Development — The Background for the Vanguard Engine, Proceedings Fifth Parabolic Dish Solar Thermal Power Program Annual Review December 6–9, 1983, Indian Wells, CA, Pasadena, CA: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, DOE/JPL 1060–69, pp. 95–101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ilyin, M.A., W.J. Steeley, and D.R. Smith (1987), Pacific Gas and Electric Department of Engineering Research’s Wind Energy Activities, presented at Windpower ‘87, SERI/CP-217–3315, pp. 127–141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jennings, C. (1989), PG&E’s Cost-Effective Photovoltaic Installations, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Department of Research and Development, San Ramon, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jennings, C., C. Whitaker, and D. Sumner (1990), Thin-film PV Performance at PG&E, Solar Ceus 28, p. 145.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kearney, D. (1989), Solar Electric Generating Stations (SEGS), IEEE Power Engineering Review 9, No. 8, pp. 4–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kearney, D. (1990), Verbal communication.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kern, E.C. (1988), Small PV System BOS: Issues and Outlook, Presented at EPRI Workshop on Evaluation of Photovoltaic Power Technologies and Applications, Palo Alto, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lepley, T. (1986), Sky Harbor Photovoltaic Concentrator Project, Phase III: First Forty-Two Months of Operation, Arizona Public Service Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lopez, C.W. (1988), Solar One — Five-Year Operating Result, Southern California Edison Company, SCE 14–201.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lotker, M. (1981), SERI Report TR-778, p. 49–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lucas, E.J., G.M. McNerney, E.A. DeMeo, and W.J. Steeley (1989), The EPRI-Utility-USW Advanced Wind Turbine Program — Status and Plans, presented at Windpower 89.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lynette, R. (1988), Status of the U.S. Wind Power Industry, Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 27, pp. 327–336.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lynette, R. (1989), Written communication.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lynette, R. (1990), Written communication.

    Google Scholar 

  • Madison Gas & Electric (1988), Goodwill Photovoltaic Project, Innovative Energy Program Project Report No. 30.011.

    Google Scholar 

  • McAvoy, K. (1986), Optimum Energy House, 2 KW Photovoltaic Demonstration Project, Performance Report, September 1984-August 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  • McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Company (1985), Pilot Plant Station Manual (RADL Item 2–1, Volume 1, System Description, Revised, prepared under Department of Energy Contract DE-AC03–79SF10499.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGlaun, M.A. (1987), LaJet Energy Company Update of Solar Plant 1, Proceedings of the Solar Thermal Technology Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico, SAND87–1258, pp. 142–150.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGraw-Hill, Inc. (1989), Electrical World Directory of Electric Utilities, 97th Edition.

    Google Scholar 

  • Michigan State Uiversity (1984), Windmill Performance in Michigan, Division of Engineering Research, East Lansing, MI.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mishler, M.I. (1989), Laguna Del Mar Photovoltaic Project, San Diego Gas &Electric.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, T. (1984), Wind Power: A Question of Scale, EPRI Journal.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, T. (1985), Opening the Door to Utility Photovoltaic, EPRI Journal, pp. 2–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, T. (1987), Opening the Door For Utility Photovoltaic, EPRI Journal, pp. 4–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris, J.A. (1987), Power Quality Testing at John F. Long’s ‘Solar 1,’ Salt River Project, presented at 1987 American Solar Energy Society Annual Meeting, Solar 87.

    Google Scholar 

  • New England Power Service Company, Ascension Technology, Electric Research and Management, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute (1989), Photovoltaic Generation Effects on Distribution Feeders, EPRI RP 2838–1, Final Report.

    Google Scholar 

  • Northern States Power Company (1987), Solar Demonstration Program Evaluation Report.

    Google Scholar 

  • Orr, J.A., D. Cyganski, A.E. Emanuel, and R.F. Saleh (1986), Design of a System for Automated Measurement and Statistics Calculation of Voltage and Current Harmonics, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Vol. PWRD-1, pp. 23–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pacific Gas and Electric Company (1988), Soiar Central Receiver Technology Advancement for Electric Utility Applications Phase I Topical Report Volumes 1 and 2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pacific Gas and Electric Company (1988), Utility Solar Central Receiver Study Phase IIB Review Meeting, San Ramon, California.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patapoff, N.W., Jr. (1985), Two Years of Interconnection Experience with the 1 MW Plant at Lugo, Proceedings of the 18th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference

    Google Scholar 

  • Pigg, S.K. (1988), A Performance Analysis of Four Wind Energy Systems, prepared for WP&L’s Wind Energy Test Program.

    Google Scholar 

  • Platte River Power Authority (1988), Preliminary Design and Feasibility Study 10 Kilowatt Photovoltaic Pilot Plant

    Google Scholar 

  • Pratt, R.G. (1976), Soiar and Wind Power, Detroit Edison Power Club Meeting, p. 21–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pratt, R.G. (1990), Two Year Performance Evaluation of a 4 kW Amorphous-Silicon Photovoltaic System in Michigan, Solar Cells 28, No. 2, p. 163.

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Public Service Company of New Mexico (1976), Technical and Economic Assessment of Solar Hybrid Repowering, proposal submitted to Energy Research and Development Administration.

    Google Scholar 

  • Public Service Company of New Mexico (1978), Solar Hybrid Repowering Project, submitted to the U.S. Department of Energy, Sunday, May 3, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  • Public Service Company of New Mexico (1978a), Technical and Economic Assessment of Solar Hybrid Repowering, Final Report, prepared for U.S. Department of Energy.

    Google Scholar 

  • Putnam, P.C. (1948), Power From the Wind, Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reid, R.L. and A.H.P. Swift (1989), Solar Ponds: A Potential Low Cost Option for Providing Energy for Wisconsin, Wisconsin Professional Engineer, p. 20–21, 25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roman, H.T. (1988), Public Service Electric and Gas Company, verbal communication.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schaefer, J., H. Boyd, C. DeWinkel, D. Fagnan, and R. Pratt (1988), Experiences with U.S. Line-Connected Amorphous Silicon Systems, Proceedings 9th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference, Florence, Italy.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schaefer, J. (1989), Wind Systems, EPRI Journal, pp. 49–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schaefer, J. (1990), Review of Photovoltaic Power Plant Performance and Economics, presented at IEEE Winter Power Meeting.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schlueter, L.E. (1987), Maintenance Requirements and Costs at the C’arrisa Plains Photovoltaic Plant, ARCO Solar, Inc., presented at 19th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, New Orleans, LA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, D.R., M.A. Ilyin, and W.J. Steeley (1989), PG&E’s Evaluation of Wind Energy, presented at Windpower ‘89.

    Google Scholar 

  • Southern California Edison Company, McDonnell Douglas Corporation, and Bechtel Power Corporation (1982), Solar 100 Conceptual Design Final Report.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steeley, W.J., M.A. Ilyin, and D.R. Smith (1987), Summary of Wind Energy Activities at Pacific Gas and Electrica Department of Engineering Research, Sixth ASME Wind Energy Symposium 3, pp. 107–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sumner, D.D., C.M. Whitaker, and L.E. Schlueter (1988), Carrisa Plains Photovoltaic Power Plant 1984–1987 Performance, The Conference Record of the Twentieth IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference — 1988, Volume II, IEEE 88CH2527–0, pp. 1289–1292.

    Google Scholar 

  • The SOLAR THERMAL Report (1981), Owens Lake Selected as Site for 210 kWe Solar Pond 2, No. 5.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Department of Energy (1989), Annual Outlook for U.S. Electric Power, 1989, DOE/EIA-0474.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Department of Energy (1987), National Photovoltaics Program, Five Year Research Plan, 1987–1991, DOE/CH10093–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Department of Energy, Conservation and Renewable Energy (1987), Solar Thermal Technology Annual Report, Fiscal Year 1986, prepared by Sandia National Laboratories and Solar Energy Research Institute, DOE/CH10093–12, DE87001171.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Solar Technologies, Wind Energy Technology Division (1985), Five Year Research Plan 1985–1990, Wind Energy Technology: Generating from the Wind, DOE/CE-T11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Virginia Power (1989), NEW TECHNOLOGY EVALUATIONS, Summary Report MT Storm Wind Energy Program.

    Google Scholar 

  • Virginia Power (1989), NEW TECHNOLOGY EVALUATIONS, VISTA Solar Facility Second Annual Report.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wahrenbrock, H.E. (1979), Can We Afford Not to Develop the High Tower Windmill Now?, Public Utilities Fortnightly, pp. 42–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Washom, B.J. (1984), Vanguard J, Soiar Parabolic Dish Stirling Engine Module Final Report (May 28, 1982-September 30, 1984), El Segundo, California: Ad-vanco Corporation, DOE-AL-16333–2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weinberg, C.J., W.J. Steeley, M.A. Ilyin, and D.R. Smith (1988), Wind Energy Research and Development Activities at PG&E, presented at Windpower 88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zaininger, H.W. (1980), Review of Economics for Seven DOE Solar Repowering Studies, Draft Final Report, EPRI RP1348–10 (Unpublished).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Edgar A. DeMeo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Peter Steitz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA

    Karl W. Böer

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1990 Plenum Press, New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

DeMeo, E.A., Steitz, P. (1990). The U.S. Electric Utility Industry’s Activities in Solar and Wind Energy Survey and Perspective. In: Böer, K.W. (eds) Advances in Solar Energy. Advances in Solar Energy, vol 6. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-9948-3_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-9948-3_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-9950-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-9948-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation