Solar Updraft Tower power generators run off of the well-understood Physics principle that hot air rises. These solar megaliths are testament to the massive potential that solar power has for cheap, clean, renewable energy. The entire power station consists of only three main parts~ a collection area, wind turbines, and a large chimney. These seemingly simple power stations function in a relatively simplistic manner, as the video below will illustrate: the Sun’s rays heat up air (or water) in the collection area (aided either by mirrors or plastics); the heated air (or steam) is directed up through the chimney; wind turbines mounted within (or just outside of) the chimney then spin, and in turn generate electricity!
The environmental impact of a Solar Tower Power Station is minimal. These power stations have the waste product of warm air, or steam in some cases, and they can actually have a positive impact on the surrounding land: in Australia’s design, soil located in the collection areas receive increased condensation, and as a result experiences an increase in plant life!
Sounds like it would be an easy sell, but cost is the real factor in whether or not we will see more of these eco-friendly power stations popping up. When comparing a 300 megawatt solar tower currently underway in Spain costing €1.2 billion (US$1.7bn) to build vs. an equally powerful coal plant being proposed for Wisconsin (US$1.2bn), we can see the potential in making the initial investment in solar technology. Also, comparing the charges on your current electricity bill to an estimated weekly charge of US$5.60** per home for Solar Tower Power, the benefits seem clear. **This figure ignores cost factors such as maintenance, management, transmission, distribution, and profit
The world’s first successful Solar Updraft Tower power station in Australia(pictured above) will be dwarfed by their developing full scale project (simulated in video below).
A 300 Megawatt Solar Tower power station will provide enough electricity to power around 180,000 households, annually reducing CO2 greenhouse gases by 600,000 tons.
With 624 mirrors tracking the sun in Seville, Spain, this 11 megawatt Solar Tower power station was just the small-scale pilot project! The next phase is a 300MW Solar Tower endowed with over 1,000 2 axis sun-tracking mirrors. This project is estimated to be finished as early as 2013.
Your article is actually confusing two different types of technology. The Mirror Tech is completely different to that of the Solar Thermal Tower technology that I think you are trying to highlight in this particular instance. If you would like further information on the technology please visit the website listed below.
Thanks
http://www.enviromission.com.au.
Your absolutely right Andrew thank you! I included the Spain Solar Tower power stations because i felt them to be a similar process of achieving the same results. Perhaps the process differ enough to warrant seperate articles?!?
As Andrew kindly pointed out, it is important to note that Spains approach to the Solar Tower technology differs in the following ways~
Mirrors are used to help aid in heating as apposed to Australias plastic enclosure.
Spains Solar Towers focus heat energy on a network of piped water instead of a vault of air.
Steam is used to turn the wind turbines instead of hot air.