News about Solar, Wind and alternative green power technologies

NREL’s most recent expansion of a 1-megawatt solar array is going to support new research. The solar array is going to provide carbon free electricity as well as platform to scrutinize the potential impacts of renewable energy on the environment.

It might be considered as a parody that solar arrays are likely going to heighten environmental concerns but it is true. In America, 75 percent of the states have already engaged extensively in alternative sources of energy in order to shift away from heavily carbon emission sources such as fossil fuel. Gas and oil has been the core feature to supply energy for the latest century.

However, it is necessary to understand that these projects are significantly large-scale projects. Some developments cover as much as 5,000 acres of land in California and desert southwest. The United State Bureau of Land Management has now a list of at least 31 renewable energy projects under “fast track”. They will be reviewed for approval.

The most conducive places to harness renewable energy are in areas which are open, sunny (usually deserts) and unused. Land once used for renewable energy project can take time to replenish afterward.

According to Brenda Beatty, an NREL Senior biologist in the West the most conducive areas to harness solar energy, are where there is high prevalence of different plant species. The shade effects of solar photovoltaic on plants are still uncertain.

Construction of NREL renewable projects are advancing at a rapid pace. It is part of NREL’s strong commitment towards sustainability in energy provision. It is also part of the U.S department of energy to enhance technology related to renewable energy.

Setting up PV arrays

In most cases, PV arrays are erected on flat areas. The land beneath is typically sterilized to assure that grass does not inflict on the technology. However, this sterilization process affects the environment as chemicals are introduced and natural re-vegetation is hindered.

Solar Panels do also have a foundation under the earth inflicting on weeds growth. The part under earth can both capture heat and affect the plants that grow side-by-side of the technology.

At National Wind technology Center (NWTC), close to Boulder, Colo NREL’s latest PV array is found. It offers extensive opportunities to analyze the ecosystems reaction to renewable development. This includes ramifications such as weeds invasion, soil erosion and wildlife. It will be an ideal opportunity to improve renewable energy and make it more appropriately connoted as natural resources.

Importance of the Meadow

Brenda Beatty is overlooking the solar project in relation to re-vegetation and wildlife studies. At NWTC, there exist grasses like blue gramma, wheat grasses, big bluestem, gayfeather, Penstemon, forbs and various shrubs like hawthorn, chokecherry and wild roses. An earlier study on the vegetation showed that the area had many other important foods necessary for some wildlife species

Many sensitive regions must be closely monitored such as:
1. In the Northwest region – There exist Ponderosa Pin as well as other montane vegetations
2. In the southern borders, there is tallgrass prairie. It represent part of theonly 0.1 percent of tallgrass remaining in the central North America

Engineers are working together with Beatty to assure that arrays are properly installed at these regions. There has been a total of 2 acres in the middle of the field, which has been left unconstructed to account for environmental factors.

The team will also re-seed the areas beneath the solar panels to assure that native grass will flourish. The blend of seeds has been carefully selected to assure the use of plants that survive in shade and is resistant to extremely high heat.

Pilot test will be initiated by an independent botanist under the supervision of Beatty. There will be seeds planted beneath solar panels to evaluate their effect. This simple pilot experiment will give us an insight of how solar panels affect vegetation. According to Beatty, this research will enable a more sustainable application to other PV installations.

The wide diversity of plants attract various animal life such as rodents, raptors, golden eagles, deer and coyote are all roaming in the surrounding. Even signs of black bears have been spotted in the area.

Prior to the instigation of the array’s installation, the black-tailed prairie dog colony was relocated. This relocation was supervised by Beatty in mutual agreement with SunEdison, DOE as well as other stakeholders.

The prairie dog is fundamental for the wildlife. It assures the health of short-grass prairie by burrowing in the earth to promote plant growth. The colony does also supply food to predators.

There has been constable attention given to assure that wildlife is not affected by the PV solar installation. However, biologists at NREL are also paying attention to other renewable sources of energy.

There were recently two large wind turbines installed, one from General Electric and another from Siemens with a capacity of 1.5 MW and 2.3 MW, respectively. There have been studies carried out in the past on meteorological towers and wind turbines, to find their effect on bats and birds. The research consists of doing surveys on nesting, breading and the number of dead bats or birds in the area.

The viability of renewable energy sources is evaluated upon various grounds. NREL is trying to make sure that both solar and wind energy is harnessed with as little negative impacts on the ecosystem as possible.

Source: NREL