|
|
Among the more cutting edge projects in the energy pioneering front line, are those concerned with large-scale solar generation.
Large scale solar thermal technology involves incident sunlight directed onto a focal point through parabolic reflectors using new technologies such as central tower plants with slightly curved mirrors or heliostats and linear Fresnel collector plants with flat mirrors, capable of large wholesale generation from the world’s sun-drenched wastelands. The heat that is generated achieves temperatures high enough to drive steam turbines such as the SST-700 industrial steam turbine from Siemens that can deliver up to 130MW of electricity. They don’t require large water sources because the system is close circuit. Modern solar thermal power plants have already been built in Andalusia, Nevada and California, but the most ambitious project to date is the Desertec Industrial Initiative, an ambitious concept to generate sustainable power supply for Europe, the Middle East and northern Africa based on renewable energy sources. The power is to be generated by solar thermal power plants primarily located in northern Africa and by wind farms off the coast of northern Africa and northern Europe. Siemens is one of a number of renowned energy companies involved in the concept that still needs a lot of clarification of legal and political issues to get off the ground. However, the technology is already available, they say. Siemens already has a lot of experience with steam turbines for solar-thermal power plants and has an equity stake in the Italian company Archimede Solar Energy. The company is also a service expert in high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) transmission for getting the power from Africa to Europe. And it not al theory. Solar thermal power plants already have a track record spanning 20 years and low-loss, long-distance transmission of large quantities of power is also technically feasible, and is already being successfully implemented in China and India. And the principle of reaping the sun’s energy is sound. Within six hours the earth’s desert regions receive more energy from the sun than mankind consumes within a year. Theoretically, an area measuring 300 by 300 square kilometres fitted with parabolic mirrors would be sufficient to meet the world’s entire power demand.
|
The sights are on the world’s solar thermal sun belts in the likes of Chile, Northern Africa and Australia where there’s an enormous dormant energy potential in desert regions.