Three Core Elements

Southwest Solar Technologies uses the SCI System to store and generate renewable energy. As a solution to global climate change and the answer to the need for affordable renewable energy, the SCI System can help achieve energy independence and reduce pollution by addressing the intermittency of wind power and the cost barriers of solar power. This technology is currently being developed in Arizona with industry and national lab partners around the US, and its first prototype is expected to be operational in 2010.

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    Renewables. Wind and solar technologies are becoming the most important new energy sources of our age. While powerful, these energy sources can also be intermittent and unreliable, making energy storage a key component to the widespread deployment of renewables. Southwest Solar Technologies is integrating and enhancing wind and solar energy technologies, and eventually sustainable biofuels, to create a system that generates reliable, clean and affordable energy.
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    Storage. The SCI System solves the problems of variability and uncertainty inherent to solar and wind energy. By combining and enhancing energy from the most promising technologies to store enough energy to power entire cities, SolarCAT technology can help solve our energy crisis.

     

    The SCI System stores compressed air from off-peak wind energy (or other renewable resources) in underground caverns or other air-tight spaces for use when energy is needed most. Using an advanced solar dish, the compressed air is heated and sent through a series of turbines in an optimized engine to generate electricity. The stored energy boosts the daytime power output by 2.5 times, delivering more power to the grid during the day when utilities need it most.
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    Solar. Southwest Solar Technologies and the SCI System use concentrating solar power (CSP) technology. This highly efficient solar power is created using a large and powerful parabolic dish to concentrate the sun’s heat into an optimized turbine engine, an advanced design under development since 2003. These SCI Dishes can be installed on various terrains and locations across the United States and are particularly well suited to the desert regions of the Southwest. By maximizing solar power with the SCI System, Southwest Solar Technologies will help create a new renewable energy future for utilities.