Asura just opened the first-of-its-kind thermal energy plant in California, which should generate enough electricity to power some 3,500 homes. The best part is that this plant, which is named Kimberlina, is merely a proof of concept of sorts— the real plant, to be constructed by 2010, will generate enough electricity to power, like, 120,000 homes.
The idea is dead simple: you’ve got really long mirrors (1,000 feet, to be exact) which reflect the sun’s rays. These rays are reflected onto a series of tubes that are filled with water. The water heats up and turns into steam, which in turn spins power-generating turbines. Makes you wanna become an engineer, doesn’t it?
Detractors will likely say, “That’s easy for California to do since it’s bathed in sunlight every day.” Granted, but should the technology prove efficient, what’s to stop the state from becoming an energy breadbasket of sorts to other states? Potatoes come from Idaho and Maine, electricity comes from California. Everyone wins.
via Inhabitat
I think that you should mention something about T.I.C. (The Industrial Company), the Construction company that is building the facility.
The 2006 Census puts California’s population at around 36.4 million. Assuming 3 people per home and one of these plants supplying 120,000 homes, basically 100 of these plants would be required. How much land will the production plant take up? How much water required per year per plant? Plus what would be required to tie 100 plants into the grid? The Devil’s in the details.
I hear there’s a lot of hot wind in Washington DC. Anyone thought of harnessing something useful out of that?
Here in California, we love the sun and the warmth. Shoot, a large portion of our State isn’t good for much but generating solar energy. Other states should be investing in us.
you skipped a minor detail, which is how they store excess thermal energy. they’ve called it their “breakthrough,” but it remains to be seen if its true. any state could potentially implement this system though and use it to supplement fossil fuel power during the summer and portions of the fall and spring.
o and most likely, nevada, new mexico, arizona, utah and texas will be the biggest beneficiary’s of this tech if these new highly efficient power transmission cables are as good as utilities are claiming they are.
solar thermal is becoming very popular worldwide. Spain are investing in 60 plants. Australia are aiming for it to be their main energy source by 2050.