Chevron tests solar technology at former refinery

Chevron Corp. is using a former refinery site in Bakersfield, Calif., to evaluate seven photovoltaic technologies for potential application of renewable power at other Chevron sites.

Six thin-film technologies and one crystalline-silicon photovoltaic technology are being tested in Project Brightfield. Solar companies demonstrating thin-film technologies are Abound Solar, MiaSole, Schuco, Solar Frontier, Sharp, and Solibro while Innovalight provides crystalline-silicon photovoltaic technology.

Some 7,700 solar panels on an 8-acre site will help power Chevron’s Kern River oil field operations.

The performance and costs of the seven technologies will be compared with traditional crystalline silicon panels already installed on the former refinery site. Chevron Technology Ventures made no mention of whether it might consider investing in the company with the best technology.

This is the second time Chevron has taken an existing asset and converted it for renewable power. The first such project was a wind farm on a former Texaco refinery site near Casper, Wyo., where 11 wind turbines generate 16.5 Mw of power.

Chevron notes cooperation of Australian government

A Chevron Corp. executive vice-president for upstream and gas, told a meeting of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation members that Asian governments need to promote policies to expand and diversity energy resources, especially natural gas.

Speaking at the APEC meeting in Singapore on Nov. 12, Kirkland cited Australia as a good example.

In September, Chevron and partners agreed to proceed with the $40 billion Gorgon LNG and upstream project off Australia.

“Gorgon will supply natural gas into the Asia-Pacific region as well as Australia domestically—with half the carbon footprint of coal,” Kirkland said. “Gas from Gorgon will significantly help expand and diversity the Asia-Pacific region’s energy supplies.”

Australia also worked with Chevron to support a carbon capture and sequestration component of Gorgon, Kirkland noted.

“Australia got it right with natural gas, a resource whose time has come,” he said.

He credits Australia's state and federal government officials with aggressively fostering policies and a political environment providing stable legal frameworks, predictable fiscal and tax regimes, and contact sanctity.

Gas flaring reduction efforts progressing

The World Bank-led Global Gas Flaring Reduction partnership (GGFR) reports the global estimate for gas flaring has declined for a third consecutive year.

GGFR helps countries and companies to both implement gas-flaring reduction projects and seize opportunities to increase the utilization of associated gas.

“Our work in different countries, from Russia to Azerbaijan and from Nigeria to Mexico, illustrate this common effort of preparing for potential opportunities to improve energy efficiency, expand access to energy, and contribute to climate change mitigation hence promoting sustainable development,” GGFR said in a newsletter posted on its web site.

In December 2008, the GGFR held a Global Forum on Flaring and Venting Reduction in Amsterdam. Some 175 delegates from over 100 different organizations and 38 countries attended the Amsterdam event.

Numerous oil companies helped sponsor or sent delegates and speakers to the conference; They included Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Total SA, Chevron, ExxonMobil Corp., BP PLC, StatoilHydro ASA, and Petrobras.

OTC: Oil companies responding to global warming

For the second consecutive year, the Offshore Technology Conference featured a well-attended session on climate change. Scientists who are globally recognized experts on climate change presented their views and discussed their observations.

John Cain, principal carbon management advisor with Chevron’s Health, Environment, and Safety Department, helped OTC organizers select this year’s panelists. He consults with Chevron’s worldwide operations on issues pertaining to greenhouse gas management.

Cain was unable to participate in the panel discussion. But in comments prepared before the May 6 OTC session, he notes considerable uncertainty exists regarding the likelihood, timing, and magnitude of potential impacts related to changes in the earth’s climate. Uncertainty also exists regarding the most effective way to address risks, he said.

“Nonetheless, the oil and gas industry has undertaken prudent steps to address GHG emissions," he said. These steps include:
--increasing energy efficiency.
--investing in renewables and alternative energies.
--eliminating routine flaring and venting where commercially feasible.
--leading efforts to develop and commercialize carbon capture and storage.

Cain suggests policymakers “recognize the important role that fossil fuels will play for decades to come in providing the energy that is necessary for continued economic growth.”