Focusing the Sun for Cheaper Energy

TechnologyFocusing the Sun for Cheaper EnergyFocusing the Sun for Cheaper EnergyThe Associated PressWith fossil fuels pushing electricity costs ever higher, bringing solar power to the market is looking more attractive every day. This solar array in the Israeli desert is testing technology for solar plants under construction in California. (June 16)With fossil fuels pushing electricity costs ever higher, bringing solar power to the market is looking more attractive every day. This solar array in the Israeli desert is testing technology for solar plants under construction in California. [Notes:SOT: John Woolard CEO, Brightsource Energy:]"IT'S ALL ABOUT HIGHER EFFICIENCY DRIVING LOWER COSTS AND THAT CAN HELP MAKE SOLAR THERMAL COMPETE DIRECTLY WITH FOSSIL FUELS." The computer-guided mirrors - called heliostats - can track the sun and focus its rays on a boiler at the top of a 200-foot tower. Water inside the boiler turns to steam, which powers a turbine and produces electricity. Woolard estimates that the technology could cut costs associated with solar energy by 30 to 50 percent, which makes deploying the solar farms much more feasible. [Notes:SOT: John Woolard CEO, Brightsource Energy:]"IF YOU LOOK IN TO THE FUTURE, BRIGHT SOURCE ALREADY HAS TO BUILD OUT, OR IS READY TO BUILD OUT, ABOUT ONE GIGAWATT OF POWER PLANTS WHICH IS ROUGHLY THE SIZE OF A COAL OR A NUCLEAR FACILITY, WE ARE NEGOTIATING MANY MORE GIGAWATTS OR HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF MEGA WATTS OF POWER PLANTS NOW AND WE INTEND TO MOVE OUT FROM THE U.S. IN TO OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS". The concept is in the final testing stage. Results from the experimental facility, a fraction of the size of commercial plants, are expected by the end of the summer. Full-sized facilities are expected to be operation in California's Mojave desert by 2011. ___ ___, The Associated Press.(****END****)

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Science & Technology

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• focusing
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• cheaper
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[GnosticNinja]

Good shit man.

[aztecsolarpwr]

Solar power is the only way to stay away from pollution. Being in the business of solar panel installation, we can say that a good work is being done by these guys.

[biggieslapnasty]

The future seems to be solar, but not as in cells.

[MrEnergyCzar]

Great video...I converted my home to a net-zero solar powered home that uses no oil or gas...I made a video about it called, "Preparing for Peak Oil"....