Location
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Start Date
15-5-2024 1:30 PM
End Date
15-5-2024 2:00 PM
Description
TVA Solar Installation on a Closed CCR Unit Authors Mr. Steve Mayes - United States - Watershed Geo Mr. Kenneth Hughes - United States - Watershed Geo Mr. Shane Harris - United States - TVA Abstract As the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is endeavoring to reduce its carbon levels 80% by 2035 and aspiring to be net-zero by 2050, it is exploring the buildout of 1,000 Megawatts (MW) of renewable solar power on closed CCR units throughout the Tennessee Valley in a project known as Project Phoenix. To vet out this potential and push towards this robust solar initiative becoming a reality, TVA is underway with the first demonstration installation utilizing this approach at the Shawnee Fossil Plant in Paducah, Kentucky. The increasing demand of solar power and closure of CCR units is making these applications more feasible, with this trend continuing well into the future. In the past, these applications were not economically or environmentally friendly to geomembrane lined closure facilities. However, recent advances in geosynthetics and solar panels have resulted in technologies that facilitate the installation of a friction based solar panel system (PowerCapTM) on a synthetic lined turf (ClosureTurf®). A case history will be presented for the demonstration area of the Shawnee Solar Project which will result in 100 MW of solar generation on a 300-acre closed CCR unit. Key innovation, technical challenges, and lessons learned will be shared from this groundbreaking project.
Document Type
Presentation
TVA Solar Installation on a Closed CCR Unit
Grand Rapids, Michigan
TVA Solar Installation on a Closed CCR Unit Authors Mr. Steve Mayes - United States - Watershed Geo Mr. Kenneth Hughes - United States - Watershed Geo Mr. Shane Harris - United States - TVA Abstract As the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is endeavoring to reduce its carbon levels 80% by 2035 and aspiring to be net-zero by 2050, it is exploring the buildout of 1,000 Megawatts (MW) of renewable solar power on closed CCR units throughout the Tennessee Valley in a project known as Project Phoenix. To vet out this potential and push towards this robust solar initiative becoming a reality, TVA is underway with the first demonstration installation utilizing this approach at the Shawnee Fossil Plant in Paducah, Kentucky. The increasing demand of solar power and closure of CCR units is making these applications more feasible, with this trend continuing well into the future. In the past, these applications were not economically or environmentally friendly to geomembrane lined closure facilities. However, recent advances in geosynthetics and solar panels have resulted in technologies that facilitate the installation of a friction based solar panel system (PowerCapTM) on a synthetic lined turf (ClosureTurf®). A case history will be presented for the demonstration area of the Shawnee Solar Project which will result in 100 MW of solar generation on a 300-acre closed CCR unit. Key innovation, technical challenges, and lessons learned will be shared from this groundbreaking project.
