Solar to be integrated with coal plant


Protective Relay Training - Basic

Our customized live online or in‑person group training can be delivered to your staff at your location.

  • Live Online
  • 12 hours Instructor-led
  • Group Training Available
Regular Price:
$699
Coupon Price:
$599
Reserve Your Seat Today
Abengoa Solar has been selected by Xcel Energy to build a demonstration parabolic trough concentrating solar power (CSP) plant at its Cameo coal plant near Grand Junction, Colorado.

The project is one of the first to integrate an industrial solar installation into a conventional electrical power plant.

The 4-thermal-megawatt (MWth) solar installation will use parabolic trough collectors developed by Abengoa Solar.

Construction is expected to start within a month and the plant is expected to be operational by the end of the year. The project, awarded to Abengoa Solar by Xcel, is the first project under an Innovative Clean Technology program that has been approved for Xcel Energy by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission.

The goal of the project is to prove that the heat produced by a solar facility can increase the efficiency of a conventional power plant while also lowering carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Successful integration of this technology may enable future large-scale applications of this technology into other power plants. The 4-thermal-megawatt solar installation will use parabolic trough collectors developed by Abengoa Solar.

"We continue to move forward in developing ways to help us reduce our impact on the environment," said David Wilks, president of energy supply for Xcel Energy. "If this demonstration works, we may be able to implement this type of technological advance in other coal-fired power plants to help further reduce carbon dioxide emissions in Colorado and possibly other areas of our service territory."

Related News

California's Next Electricity Headache Is a Looming Shortage

California Electricity Reserve Mandate requires 3.3 GW of new capacity to bolster grid reliability amid…
View more

Disruptions in the U.S. coal, nuclear power industries strain the economy and invite brownouts

Electric power market crisis highlights grid reliability risks as coal and nuclear retire amid subsidies,…
View more

Key Ontario power system staff may end up locked down at work sites due to COVID-19, operator says

Ontario IESO COVID-19 Control Room Measures detail how essential operators safeguard the electricity grid with…
View more

Fire in manhole leaves thousands of Hydro-Québec customers without power

Montreal Power Outage linked to Hydro-Que9bec infrastructure after an underground explosion and manhole fire in…
View more

Africa must quadruple power investment to supply electricity for all, IEA says

Africa Energy Investment must quadruple, says IEA, to deliver electricity access via grids, mini-grids, and…
View more

Restrict price charged for gas and electricity - British MPs

UK Energy Price Cap aims to protect consumers on gas and electricity bills, tackling Big…
View more

Sign Up for Electricity Forum’s Newsletter

Stay informed with our FREE Newsletter — get the latest news, breakthrough technologies, and expert insights, delivered straight to your inbox.

Electricity Today T&D Magazine Subscribe for FREE

Stay informed with the latest T&D policies and technologies.
  • Timely insights from industry experts
  • Practical solutions T&D engineers
  • Free access to every issue

Download the 2026 Electrical Training Catalog

Explore 50+ live, expert-led electrical training courses –

  • Interactive
  • Flexible
  • CEU-cerified