Energy Prospecting: California, January, 2015 ------------------------------------------------------------ A trip around California, visiting some of the most novel energy projects in the World. The aim is to understand the working and daily operations of these ventures utilizing our training in Energy. We will also deliver questions and concerns raised by students, energy enthusiasts and the general public to the people running these plants. Why California? -------------------- A pioneer in energy reforms, an early adopter of many innovative energy technologies. The state is committed to ensuring the adoption of renewables to achieve 33% electricity by such sources by 2020 as promised in its ambitious RPS (Renewable Portfolio Standards). This has created a buzz of activity in the state resulting in mega projects such as the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System in the Mojave Desert. Apart from that, there are other projects spanning the entire range of clean technologies from renewables such as solar, wind, geothermal to energy efficiency and smartgrids to public EV charging infrastructure. What Locations? --------------------- The tour location includes a mix of large-scale renewable energy generating sites utilizing differing technologies and end-user facing facilities. · Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating Station, Ivanpah Dry Lake, Mojave Desert · Desert Sunlight Solar Farm, Sonoran Desert · Alta Wind Energy Center, Tehachapi Pass, Kern County · South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Public EV Charging Infrastructure, LA · GRID Alternatives: Volunteering to install solar panels on low income households in the Bay Area Expected Outcomes? --------------------------- It is expected that the trip will result in a deeper understanding of the ongoing energy experiment in California leading to a greater appreciation of the challenges faced in operating large renewable energy systems. In the process, it is hoped that misconceptions about some of these projects will also be dispelled. Moreover, the travelers hope to investigate the impact of such projects on land and water usage commonly called the Energy-Land-Water nexus. A dedicated trip diary will be maintained which will later be shared via the Carnegie Mellon Energy newsletter, blog and other social media avenues. It shall contain in detail the experiences of the travelers, interviews with plant managers including answers to questions sent by the public and exclusive photographs. Most importantly, it will be an opportunity for two young Energy Engineers to take their learning to the road and apply theoretical knowledge learnt in the classroom to understand the technological and policy implications of California’s energy revolution. Background & Experience ---------------------------------- Janak Gahlot is a Masters candidate at Carnegie Mellon pursuing the Energy Science, Technology and Policy (ESTP) program. Over the summer, he worked as an Energy Analyst in Washington, DC. Has prior work experience as an Electrical Engineer. Sidharth Choudhary works as a Graduate Research Assistant at Carnegie Mellon University. He graduated with a MS in Energy Science, Technology and Policy (ESTP) in May. His research focus is on integrating renewables into the existing power system. Sidharth and Janak have actively collaborated on research projects focused on microgrids and have presented at several prominent academic conferences such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Energy Conference14 and Carnegie Mellon Conference on the Electricity Industry14.
Posted on: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 21:52:20 +0000
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