Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Southern California is watching closely an ongoing test of two solar-natural gas air conditioning systems by Sempra Energy’s Los Angeles-based Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas). The gas utility is testing two similar systems at its Energy Resource Center in Downey, CA, as a means of accelerating their use among commercial customers, such as the Coca-Cola bottling plant.

In a four-month-old effort that could stretch to one-two years, SoCalGas is comparing the systems of Hawaii-based Sopogy Inc. and United Kingdom-based Helio Dynamics. It is part of a multi-year showcasing of advanced concentrated solar power systems in an effort to accelerate the commercialization of new technology that uses solar energy to power air conditioning systems (see Daily GPI, July 23).

The technologies involve parabolic trough and flat reflecting mirror solar collectors installed at the sustainably designed gas utility center for commercial customers. They use mirrors and computer-controlled tracking systems to capture and focus sunlight, which is used to heat water-filled tubes, holding the advantage of being modular and requiring less space than flat-panel photovoltaic systems.

Sopogy and Helio Dynamics claim to provide more solar power and increased efficiencies due to the use of reflectors to intensify and concentrate sunlight onto a focal point. The difference in the two systems is centered on the mirrors’ size and shape. The process at SoCalGas’s test site provides enough power to air condition three average-size homes without using electricity or natural gas.

The Coca-Cola bottler, which has facilities spread around Southern California, is trying to determine if one of the technologies would make sense for its operations, a company official told the Los Angeles Times.

Hal Snyder, vice president of customer solutions at SoCalGas, said Sempra’s utilities (SoCalGas and San Diego Gas and Electric Co.) are intrigued by the idea that both systems being tested can work compatibly with existing gas and electric systems, according to the LA Times report.

Coca-Cola and other gas utility customers said their decision on what type of system to install will be based on results of the SoCalGas test.

Earlier this summer, the Sempra utility said it would install new solar collector designs at the test site as they become available, and SoCalGas plans to add electric generation to the facility next year.

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