Projects & Companies
Just the start of something great.
Now over 120 members strong, with more than 75 companies and 9 utilities as members, MCEI is working towards bringing about the realization that the Tri-Cities, WA region
is primed to become the nation's recognized leader in solving energy challenges.
Solar Power
Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar powered electrical generation relies on heat engines and photovoltaics. Solar energy's uses are limited only by human ingenuity. A partial list of solar applications includes space heating and cooling through solar architecture, potable water via distillation and disinfection, delighting, solar hot water, solar cooking, and high temperature process heat for industrial purposes. To harvest the solar energy, the most common way is to use solar panels. Solar technologies are broadly characterized as either passive solar or active solar depending on the way they capture, convert and distribute solar energy. Active solar techniques include the use of photovoltaic panels and solar thermal collectors to harness the energy. Passive solar techniques include orienting a building to the Sun, selecting materials with favorable thermal mass or light dispersing properties, and designing spaces that naturally circulate air.
Energy Northwest
White Bluffs Solar Station
Solar power is a clean, renewable energy source. Because of the extremely high construction costs of a solar power station,
the price of power they produce is higher than market rates. Bonneville Power Administration buys all of the power produced
at White Bluffs Solar Station for 4 cents per kilowatt-hour. The Bonneville Environmental Foundation sells "green tags" from
the facility to businesses that want to support construction of new renewable resources or companies mitigating pollutants in one form or another.
Generating capacity: 38.7 kilowatts DC
Capacity factor average: 16 percent
Location: 10 miles north of Richland, Wash.
Site size: 6,000 square feet
Commercial operation: 2002
Location: 10 miles north of Richland, WA
Franklin PUD
1411 W. Clark St.
Pasco, WA 99301
www.franklinpud.com
Franklin PUD is a non-profit electric utility.
+ Green Touchscreen
Interactive application illustrating the real-time solar power generation from their Administrative Building:
GCL Technology Research
400 Columbia Point Drive, Ste 102
Richland, WA 99352
www.gclsolarenergy.com
Solar energy technology research.
Infinia Corporation
6811 W. Okanogan Place
Kennewick, WA 99336
www.infiniacorp.com
Infinia develops, manufactures and commercializes Stirling cycle engines, coolers, cryocoolers, and combined heat and power products that are efficient and environmentally friendly.
Jacobs
295 Bradley Blvd. Ste. 204
Richland, WA 99352
www.jacobs.com
Jacobs provides professional, technical, and construction services comprising various aspects of engineering and construction, operations, and maintenance, as well as scientific and specialty consulting services.
Vista Engineering Technologies, LLC
1355 Columbia Park Trail
Richland, WA 99352
www.vistaengr.com
Engineering and environmental consulting
