Wow new kind of solar energy

[Blarg]

New kind of solar energy, at BBC site




This seems like a pretty interesting new solar technology. Excerpts:

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It is Europe's first commercially operating power station using the Sun's energy this way and at the moment its operator, Solucar, proudly claims that it generates 11 Megawatts (MW) of electricity without emitting a single puff of greenhouse gas. This current figure is enough to power up to 6,000 homes.

But ultimately, the entire plant should generate as much power as is used by the 600,000 people of Seville.

It works by focusing the reflected rays on one location, turning water into steam and then blasting it into turbines to generate power.

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The vision is of the sun-blessed lands of the Mediterranean - even the Sahara desert - being carpeted with systems like this with the power cabled to the drizzlier lands of northern Europe. A dazzling idea in a dazzling location.

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As is usual with these things, it's not cheaper than standard energy sources, but there's zero pollution and costs will likely come down in time. I hope they do manage to get those costs way down.