an initial annual energy contribution before 1985, if possible, and a moderate contribution, possibly 80 gigawatts of electric power on average of electric capacity, by the vear 2000. Several of its activities indirectly relate to the overall analysis of the SPS, as I will indicate later. The solar electric applications program unit includes those solar technologies whose principal outputs can be electricity, but which in most cases are also capable of producing other energy forms. These are shown, in some examples of photographs, in the first slide, Mr. Chairman.1 The first of these is: Wind energy conversion, shown at the lower left-hand comer. These systems commonly convert wind to mechanical energy which may be used directly to drive energy shorage devices— for example, pumped hydro storage, flywheels, or compressed gases— or which may be used to drive electric generators. The second: solar photovoltaic conversion, shown schematically at the upper left, involves the direct conversion of sunlight to electricity through the use of photoelectric processes. Thie third: Solar thermal electric conversion, shown at the upper right, involves the concentration of solar energy to create the high temperatures needed to heat water or other fluids to power turbines which in turn drive electric generators. Total energy concepts, based upon solar thermal electric system concepts, may also supply industrial process heat or space heating needs at the same time they provide electricity. Fourth: Ocean thermal energy conversion, shown at the lower right, uses the temperature differential occurring between the solar- heated ocean surface and the deep colder water as a heat source and sink to evaporate and condense a working fluid in a thermodynamic cycle to power turbines and produce electricity. This approach is particularly attractive because it has the potential to provide significant quantities of base load electrical power. The other three concepts involve some form of energy storage. Additionally, energy storage and transmission research uniquely pertinent to these solar energy conversion technologies are addressed within the solar electric applications program unit of our solar energy program and also within our conservation program on energy storage technologies more generally. Program milestone targets for these four technologies have been identified. These are: First: The development of 1 to 10 megawatt electric scale wind systems in the period 1979 to 1982. Second: A cost reduction of photovoltaic elements by a factor of 40 by 1985—for example, to approximately $500 per kilowatt peak electrical energy output at maximum solar flux on the Earth's surface. Third: 100 megawatt electric solar thermal demonstration plant to be operational in the mid-1980's. And, fourth: A 25 megawatt electric ocean thermal pilot plant, also in the mid-1980's. The four technologies—wind, photovoltaic, solar thermal electric, and ocean thermal—are separate and distinct with few common aspects. Each technology depends upon a large resource base—wind, solar insolation, and the warm ocean: surfaces—which is being re1 The illustration referred to was not received in time to be included in the record.
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