David

Being new to the solar industry, particularly Concentrating Solar Power, i would like to ask for your advise regarding companies that excel is CSP. I have read in articles that CSP is not just a solar technology that can be applied anywhere but has criterias to make the CSP project a viable one.

I am aware that Spain and the U.S. are the top countries that invests in CSP projects. In your opinion, does Asia invests on CSP heavily as well or are they more into PV ? Best regards.

Do you really think that’s a legit reason to ignore the HUGE difference in energy per square meter compared to nuclear energy?

It is possible to turn desert back into productive land that is able to support trees that would actually do something to correct any carbon problems we may have. But instead, you would rather support this silly technology that won’t put any kind of dent in carbon emissions with it’s minuscule energy production.

Keep up the good work.

You’re missing the obvious: power draw in hot climates is primarily during the day for air conditioning.

Also, the technology already exists to have 24 hour solar thermal electricity: http://www.beyondzeroemissions.org/media/releases/solar-power-all-through-night-100202

And the cost trajectory for all renewable energy is rapidly down – the opposite of nuclear. That might explain why French nuclear firm, Areva is investing in solar thermal: http://climateprogress.org/2010/02/16/french-nuclear-giant-areva-buys-ausra-concentrated-solar-thermal-power-market-csp/

> …covers a larger area…

They’re not short of space in the desert.

‘span 2.5 square kilometers (one square mile).’

$600 M/100 MW(peak) ~ $18/W(average)

I guess burning gas to get useful power beats simply flaring it off.

“2.5 square meters ( one square mile)”

Also, Is the plant close to the ocean? do you know if they will be using it to convert salt water to fresh water? This process can be done for “free” with concentrated solar plants and Abu Dhabi uses quite a lot of energy in desalination plants.

http://djysrv.blogspot.com/2010/05/uae-picks-sites-to-build-four-reactors.html

http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN_UAE_has_its_first_nuclear_site_2304102.html

Do you have any real data about the quantity of gas that will be burned? Having visited the Middle East, I know that they often shift a lot of their productive work hours to periods when the sun is not high in the sky or even visible in the sky. How does their normal power demand vary on a time of day basis?

Finally, it is worth pointing out that the UAE is planning to build four nuclear power plants with a total capacity of 5,600 MWe that might be able to achieve average capacity factors of 80-90%. That technology is far more likely to be a long term replacement for fossil fuel consumption; a 100 MWe (peak power) solar plant with natural gas supplements that covers a larger area than all four nuclear plants combined will cover is a mere distraction compared to that.

We are a start up that has found the funds but are looking for a credible technology partner to join us for a CSP project here.