Topic outline

  • Concentrated Solar Power - Reducing Water Consumption

    Credits: 3 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    The requirement for cooling water is a major issue in the siting of new thermoelectric power plants, including those powered by solar energy. This course provides information about four concentrating solar power technologies: parbolic trough, linear fresnel, tower power and dish/engine systems, and a comparison of water usage for these systems with once-through cooling, recirculating evaporative cooling, dry cooling, and hybrid wet/dry parallel cooling systems.

    Topics:

    • Parabolic trough systems
    • Linear fresnel systems
    • Power tower systems
    • Dish/engine systems
    • Once-through cooling
    • Dry cooling
    • Evaporative cooling
    • Hybrid wet/dry cooling
    • Parallel cooling systems
    • Alternative and future technologies

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course:
    Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)


    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
         NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.

    Print the Certificate of Completion


    Intended Audience: energy, mechanical, electrical, construction, and civil engineers. However, this course could appeal to engineers of other disciplines as well.
    Publication Source: US Dept. of Energy

    Harlan Bengtson PhD, PE
    • Topic 1