DESERTEC Foundation: Andasol 3 CSP plant opening in September 2011

[GridStorage]

For storage throughout this exciting project the vanadium redox flow battery seems most promising. The only thing holding back the VFB is the high and unpredictable cost of the vanadium electrolyte. Yet multiple supplies of low-cost battery-grade electrolyte will be coming online thanks to the likes of American Vanadium (Nevada), Energizer Resources (Madagascar), Apella (Quebec) and Largo (Brazil).

[GridStorage]

Molten salts look good for such large scale CSP heat storage but such a huge long range network of energy distribution will need effective mass energy storage throughout the system. I am watching the latest advances in the area of grid-scale energy storage @powerstorageco on Twitter. Please follow and comment.

[HADENCR7]

What on winter ?

[Elune137]

@HADENCR7 "What on winter ?"

The Desertec approach intends to use CSP (concentrating solar power) with focus on the regions around the equator, so no winter issue. High voltage direct current (HVDC) can transfer electricity over thousands of miles without big losses compared to the traditional AC- nets. And since this type of solar power is power on demand, I think it can better compete with traditional power than most other renewables.

[arguss77]

Excellent project. Earth needs more these plants and stop using oil and polluting our environment.

[alanheath]

I read an article on this project on the BBC website today. I think that this project is very exciting. Of course everyone who has had anything to do with solar power knows how little energy it actually produces but we can live in hope that more power can be produced in the future. Whereas we are well off solar power feeding an aluminium plant for example, there is no reason why people cannot use solar for their own domestic use for 8 months a year + this project gives hope for bigger things.

[DESERTECChannel]

@alanheath Thanks for your comment.

[MoonlightmasterMF]

wie der deutsche kein englisch kann -.-

[UnityBeing313]

Looks promising.

[Milieunet]

Renewable energy is the way to go

[stijnatopdorp]

The first step.

Can't wait to see the next one. The High voltage DC network