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California Utility Gets Bullish on Solar Thermal Power
ecotechdaily.com — A California utility company says they ’re “bullish” on industrial-scale solar thermal power.
msaleem- 170 diggs
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- EatingPie, on 06/13/2008, -2/+2Let us hope it works this time.
In the '80s a solar thermal facility was built in the Mojave desert. Similar to -- if not the exact same facility as the one discussed in the article. But it was so economically unfeasible, they started selling off the mirrors in the array to recoup some of their investment. The facility was a complete failure. (It looked just like that in the picture, but the captions do not make it clear if it's one in the same.)
A very depressing story. This is one case where history better not repeat itself.
-Pie- chrisbaskind, on 06/13/2008, -0/+2The technology used by this particular plant is already in use in Israel. Works. The big deal with this design is it uses very simple, flat mirrors. Much cheaper to fabricate and site.
- EatingPie, on 06/14/2008, -1/+1Sorry, by "works" I meant "works out." The previous plant used viable technology and worked in that it produced power (though certainly not as efficient as today's technologies). The problem was coal power is so much cheaper, this system was abandoned -- and it's my fear that this might happen again.
That is what I was referring to by saying 'let's hope it works." But that was terrible wording on my part.
-Pie
- whatsrequired, on 06/13/2008, -0/+3It'll work. Being able to monetize solar for 24, instead of 8 hours a day, especially in this time of sky-high energy costs, will make the project profitable in no time flat. Besides, it's solar--it's only going to grow, so even if it fails, so long as it doesn't kill the company it'll be productive.
- sheagunther42, on 06/13/2008, -0/+3We'll eventually figure out Solar Thermal and work it into the green power mix that we'll need to live the good life without driving ourselves off the planet. It's good to hear it's coming back strong.
- InvisibleInk, on 06/13/2008, -0/+2Nuclear fusion power is the real answer. France is way ahead with their giant tokamak facility now under construction. We should allow such a fusion gap to happen.
- Deathrah, on 06/13/2008, -0/+0Dreamer...
Why encourage less investment in Renewable Energy for?
You, sir, are a disinformation agent!- InvisibleInk, on 06/14/2008, -0/+0:D
You're right. They're both endlessly supplied (light for solar, and water for fusion). It's just that fusion will provide hundreds, if not thousands, of times more energy per plant. Instead of powering, say, 30K residential homes like solar will, two or three fusion plants will provide power for entire large metropolitan areas, residential, commercial, and industrial alike.
- InvisibleInk, on 06/14/2008, -0/+0:D
- Deathrah, on 06/13/2008, -0/+0Dreamer...
- Brent2, on 06/13/2008, -0/+1There's plenty of irony in France going Nuclear long before the US. But I'm happy to let them work out the bugs first. Still, I think we've hit the point where we're ready, bugs or not.
Unless this thing works of course. And works dang well. - ConversationAge, on 06/19/2008, -0/+0Solar power on industrial scale, now that is news!
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