Aspen Evaluates Impacts Of One Of The Largest Proposed Solar Power Plants In The World

Image via California Energy Commission

Aspen Environmental Group assisted the California Energy Commission in evaluating potential impacts associated with the proposed Palen Solar Electric Generating Station (PSEGS) to be located adjacent to Interstate-10 in the Chuckwalla Valley, an area east of Palm Springs in the remote Colorado Desert. PSEGS was proposed as a 500-MW concentrated solar power tower project with two 250-MW power-generating units, each consisting of approximately 85,000 heliostats and a 750-foot solar tower and receiver. This major project required new approaches to assessing the risk to birds from exposure to elevated levels of solar flux, a phenomenon that occurs as the heliostats focus light on the central tower. Birds that fly through these elevated fields of solar flux may suffer burns to their feathers that lead to death. It is unknown what the risk is to birds from exposure to lower levels of flux that do not result in feather damage. Preliminary data suggests that the risk to birds varies depending on their size, flight patterns, and feather coloration. Current studies underway at operational facilities are attempting to evaluate the long-term risk to birds during the expected 30-year operational lifespan of the project. PSEGS is similar but larger than the Ivanpah facility located north of Interstate-15 near the Nevada border. The application to build PSEGS was recently withdrawn from the Energy Commission; however, recent news articles suggest the facility may be revived after it was bought by Abengoa Energy.