Murtha: Alcoa Receives $398,520 DOE Grant for Work on Solar Energy

December 6, 2007 -- (Washington D.C.)- Congressman John P. Murtha, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, announced today that Alcoa Technical Center, located in Upper Burrell, has received a $398,520 grant through the Department of Energy to support the development of a low-cost Concentrated Solar Power system.

The Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) system is part of the Department of Energy’s solar energy initiative that is designed to further advance low-cost CSP technologies into the marketplace. CSP is electricity generated from using reflective materials to focus sunlight onto a receiver that captures the sun’s energy and converts it into heat that can run a standard turbine generator. This thermal energy can be saved to provide energy to homes and businesses day or night.

“With increased demand and rising energy prices, it’s essential that we invest in new and renewable energy sources,” commented Murtha. “Congress passed an energy bill today that will increase fuel efficiency standards for automobiles and provide new requirements and incentives for renewable energy.”

Alcoa will leverage its advanced technologies and design expertise to develop a lightweight aluminum collector that will reduce the cost of the CSP system.

“We are pleased to be a part of the Department of Energy's initiative to advance the adoption of low-cost solar power technologies,” said Mohammad A. Zaidi, executive vice president of Market Strategy, Technology & Quality. “Large-scale solar thermal technology has tremendous potential to reduce the world's dependence on fossil fuels and address the growing need for energy by providing a clean and renewable source.”

Source: Congressman John P. Murtha