National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)NREL HomeInnovation for Our Energy Future
About NREL Science and Technology Technology Transfer Applying Technologies Learning About Renewables
Concentrating Solar Power Research Home

  
Concentrating Solar Power Research Home

Technology Basics

Capabilities

Projects
1000 MW Initiative
USA Trough Initiative
Trough Solar Field Technology
Thermal Energy Storage
Trough Power Plant Technology
Trough Systems Integration
Advanced Optical Materials
Concentrating Photovoltaics

Research Staff

Partnerships

Working with Us

Publications

Data and Resources

Related Links

News


USA Trough Initiative

Through the USA Trough Initiative, NREL supports the U.S. Department of Energy's efforts to expand U.S. industry involvement and competitiveness in worldwide parabolic trough development activities. This includes helping to advance the state of parabolic trough technology from a U.S. knowledge base.

As a result of its experience and expertise with solar electric generation system (SEGS) plants, the United States is uniquely positioned to play a key role in the future development of parabolic trough technologies in other countries. And currently, much of the parabolic trough technology development has been occurring outside of the United States.

NREL's USA Trough Initiative objectives include:

  • Advancing the state-of-the-art parabolic trough technology, integration, analysis, and services to improve U.S. competitiveness. Specific activities will reduce cost, improve performance, improve reliability, and reduce commercial risk.

  • Increasing U.S. scope and/or supply of future near- and longer-term domestic and international parabolic trough projects.

The U.S. Department of Energy began the USA Trough Initiative in 1999.

Visit TroughNet for more information about parabolic trough power plant technology.

Printable Version






Skip footer to end of page.

Content Last Updated: July 25, 2008