Final Report of the Study on UTC (University of Tennessee at Chattanooga) Operation of the TVA Nonconvecting Solar Pond as an Energy Engineering Field Laboratory

摘要

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) has reviewed the background and operation of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) solar pond facility and investigated the possibility of operating the pond while utilizing it as a energy field engineering laboratory. Possible sources of financial support for UTC's operation of the facility have been examined. UTC has determined that it is both feasible and desirable for the School of Engineering to utilize this facility as an educational resource. During the brief period of this study, it was not possible to obtain commitments for external funding. It is recommended that UTC operate the solar pond as an educational facility for the next six months with limited financial support from TVA. During this six months period, it is recommended that UTC and TVA personnel work closely together to secure long term commitments for funding the facility and to examine alternative plans for the facility including phased decommissioning. (ERA citation 12:038758)