Duke Energy Explores Innovative Technologies in Florida, Begins Construction on Floating Solar Pilot at Its Hines Energy Complex

Rhea-AI Summary

Duke Energy Florida is set to begin construction on its first floating solar array pilot in Polk County, enhancing its clean energy efforts. This nearly 1 MW project, comprising over 1,800 floating solar modules, will occupy around 2 acres of a cooling pond at the Hines Energy Complex. The construction is expected to take five to six months. This initiative is part of the Vision Florida program aimed at testing innovative clean energy technologies. Duke Energy, a major energy player, is committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050 and has set interim carbon reduction targets.

Positive

• Initiative to construct a floating solar pilot enhances clean energy portfolio.
• Project will provide approximately 1 MW of additional solar capacity.
• Affirmative steps towards net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Negative

• None.

• Construction set to begin on company's first floating solar pilot in Florida
• Pilot will feature more than 1,800 floating solar modules, providing even more clean, carbon-free energy for customers

ST. PETERSBURG, FL / ACCESSWIRE / April 5, 2023 / Duke Energy Florida announced that its first floating solar array pilot will begin construction later this month in Polk County.

The almost 1-megawatt floating solar array will feature more than 1,800 floating solar modules and occupy approximately 2 acres of water surface on an existing cooling pond at the Duke Energy Hines Energy Complex in Bartow.

"We're excited to get hands-on experience with Duke Energy Florida's first floating solar project at one of our own power plant sites," said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. "Unique pilots like floating solar are helping us better understand the capabilities of innovative clean energy technologies that can benefit our Florida customers and communities now and in the future."

Crews will construct and assemble the module floating system on land in segments before securing it with anchors in the water. The project will take approximately five to six months.

The pilot is part of Duke Energy's Vision Florida program, which is designed to test innovative projects such as microgrids and battery energy storage, among others, to prepare the power grid for a clean energy future.

Duke Energy Florida

Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 10,500 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 1.9 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,600 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by 2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2023 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "World's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Media contact: Audrey Stasko
Media line: 800.559.3853
Twitter: @DE_AudreyS

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SOURCE: Duke Energy

View source version on accesswire.com:
https://www.accesswire.com/747771/Duke-Energy-Explores-Innovative-Technologies-in-Florida-Begins-Construction-on-Floating-Solar-Pilot-at-Its-Hines-Energy-Complex

FAQ

What is Duke Energy Florida's new solar project about?

Duke Energy Florida is constructing a floating solar array pilot in Polk County featuring over 1,800 solar modules.

When will the construction of the floating solar pilot start?

Construction for the floating solar pilot is set to begin later this month, April 2023.

What capacity will the floating solar array pilot provide?

The floating solar array pilot will provide nearly 1 megawatt of additional solar capacity.

How long will the construction of the floating solar pilot take?

The construction of the project is expected to take approximately five to six months.

What are Duke Energy's clean energy goals?

Duke Energy aims for net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050, with interim targets for carbon reduction.