Comments on: Can Concentrating Solar Power Outshine Fossil Fuels?

By: Khürt

Khürt — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 16:56:29 +0000

Eric, that sounds like a great idea. It could also help prepare those oil export dependent countries prepare for the day when we no longer need their stuff.

By: Khürt

Khürt — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 16:56:00 +0000

Eric, that sounds like a great idea. It could also help prepare those oil export dependent countries prepare for the day when we no longer need their stuff.

By: Eric

Eric — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:14:52 +0000

To further improve efficiency and utility, why not but them near the ocean so they could also be used for desalinization. By doing so, they would not only produce electricity, but also fresh water, and have a constant supply of salt for thermal storage.

By: Eric

Eric — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:14:00 +0000

By: Carter

Carter — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:59:45 +0000

the panels don’t need to be on the cars – put them on garages (personal and workplace/commercial), and put charging stations at rest areas.

last I read serious EV cars were getting up to 60 miles a charge – that would require some serious infrastructure to become a workable solution for rural areas, but for urban – no problem.

By: Carter

Carter — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:59:00 +0000

the panels don’t need to be on the cars – put them on garages (personal and workplace/commercial), and put charging stations at rest areas.

last I read serious EV cars were getting up to 60 miles a charge – that would require some serious infrastructure to become a workable solution for rural areas, but for urban – no problem.

By: Solar Power Lad

Solar Power Lad — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:01:33 +0000

Great article. I think CSP will definitely play a big role in the future of energy. Photovoltaic technology will also be necessary for handling demand in peak (daytime) hours. CSP and Photovoltaics could be good partners.

By: Solar Power Lad

Solar Power Lad — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:01:00 +0000

By: RIF

RIF — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 23:58:06 +0000

The Spanish CSP power plant mentioned in the article without a name is the Andasol power plant.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andasol_1_solar_power_station

The company Solar Millennium that developed Andasol is now working on a combined CSP and natural gas plant at Cairo in Egypt, using the natural gas when sun is not available.

By: RIF

RIF — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 23:58:00 +0000

The Spanish CSP power plant mentioned in the article without a name is the Andasol power plant.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andasol_1_solar_power_station

The company Solar Millennium that developed Andasol is now working on a combined CSP and natural gas plant at Cairo in Egypt, using the natural gas when sun is not available.

By: russ

russ — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:44:25 +0000

David – Good point on the solar hot water/coal fired combination.

I am afraid you will have to develop a solar cell many, many times more efficient than are around at present for the car concept.

The cars etc at that site are novelties and toys – not something you drive to work or transport anything in.

You notice the oversize panels on the cars to try to get enough sun just to make the things go along minimally.

In a super location you may get an annual average insolation level of 4 kWh/m2/day on a horizontal surface. Not going to get a car far.

By: russ

russ — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:44:00 +0000

David – Good point on the solar hot water/coal fired combination.

I am afraid you will have to develop a solar cell many, many times more efficient than are around at present for the car concept.

The cars etc at that site are novelties and toys – not something you drive to work or transport anything in.

You notice the oversize panels on the cars to try to get enough sun just to make the things go along minimally.

In a super location you may get an annual average insolation level of 4 kWh/m2/day on a horizontal surface. Not going to get a car far.

By: David

David — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:06:35 +0000

The times they are a changing. Another way to use concentrating solar is to do it with an existing coal plant. The steam from the solar can be used to power the existing boiler, cutting or eliminating the use of coal during the day, with the coal used as a backup power source. Not perfect, but an improvement.

Better is making each electric car a solar collector, it already has battery storage, and by charging itself no power plant is needed, no transmission losses, batteries last longer, etc.

See a list of these cars and other self powered vehicles at http://www.selfpoweredelectricvehicles.com/

By: David

David — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:06:00 +0000

Better is making each electric car a solar collector, it already has battery storage, and by charging itself no power plant is needed, no transmission losses, batteries last longer, etc.

See a list of these cars and other self powered vehicles at http://www.selfpoweredelectricvehicles.com/