http://www.triplepundit.com/2008/03/solar-thermal-electricity-catching-the-eye-of-utility-companies/ Business, Better. Since 2005 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:18:23 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 http://www.triplepundit.com/2008/03/solar-thermal-electricity-catching-the-eye-of-utility-companies/comment-page-1/#comment-12802 Sarah Lozanova Fri, 28 Mar 2008 23:16:31 +0000 http://www.triplepundit.com/wordpress/2008/03/solar-thermal-electricity-catching-the-eye-of-utility-companies/#comment-12802 According to Ausra's website, an area 92 miles by 92 miles could generate 100% of US power. It will impact the desert landscape, but I feel that it pales in comparison to the alternatives. According to Ausra’s website, an area 92 miles by 92 miles could generate 100% of US power. It will impact the desert landscape, but I feel that it pales in comparison to the alternatives.

]]> http://www.triplepundit.com/2008/03/solar-thermal-electricity-catching-the-eye-of-utility-companies/comment-page-1/#comment-12801 Matthew Kelly Fri, 28 Mar 2008 23:04:56 +0000 http://www.triplepundit.com/wordpress/2008/03/solar-thermal-electricity-catching-the-eye-of-utility-companies/#comment-12801 <i>"is at least 100 times more expensive than storing heat."</i>That would be at least 30 times o_O @Lammour: I can see where your coming from, but transforming desert land to solar farms would be a great thing. Solar farms in the desert are the most reliable placement, as theres low precipation, theres no clouds to block the sun, and the otherwise unused arid land becomes useful. “is at least 100 times more expensive than storing heat.”That would be at least 30 times o_O
@Lammour: I can see where your coming from, but transforming desert land to solar farms would be a great thing. Solar farms in the desert are the most reliable placement, as theres low precipation, theres no clouds to block the sun, and the otherwise unused arid land becomes useful.

]]> http://www.triplepundit.com/2008/03/solar-thermal-electricity-catching-the-eye-of-utility-companies/comment-page-1/#comment-12800 Lammour Fri, 28 Mar 2008 19:03:05 +0000 http://www.triplepundit.com/wordpress/2008/03/solar-thermal-electricity-catching-the-eye-of-utility-companies/#comment-12800 I have to say I'm not too stoked about thousands of acres of wild desert being turned into this... maybe if they just replaced the deadzones around Phoenix - ie the irrigated cotton lands that they ruined between Phoenix and Tucson were used, then I'd be cool with it! I have to say I’m not too stoked about thousands of acres of wild desert being turned into this… maybe if they just replaced the deadzones around Phoenix – ie the irrigated cotton lands that they ruined between Phoenix and Tucson were used, then I’d be cool with it!

]]> http://www.triplepundit.com/2008/03/solar-thermal-electricity-catching-the-eye-of-utility-companies/comment-page-1/#comment-12799 Sarah Lozanova Fri, 28 Mar 2008 16:45:18 +0000 http://www.triplepundit.com/wordpress/2008/03/solar-thermal-electricity-catching-the-eye-of-utility-companies/#comment-12799 The plants in the Southwest would have the greatest output by far and would supply more reliable supplies. If solar thermal plants would need to be combined with more fossil fuel plants if the solar energy is more variable. There is currently a lot of long distance transmission in the US. For example, hydro power from Eastern Washington feeds the Los Angeles grid. This NPR program addresses this issue, towards the end of the program I believe. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88239836 The plants in the Southwest would have the greatest output by far and would supply more reliable supplies. If solar thermal plants would need to be combined with more fossil fuel plants if the solar energy is more variable.
There is currently a lot of long distance transmission in the US. For example, hydro power from Eastern Washington feeds the Los Angeles grid.
This NPR program addresses this issue, towards the end of the program I believe.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88239836

]]> http://www.triplepundit.com/2008/03/solar-thermal-electricity-catching-the-eye-of-utility-companies/comment-page-1/#comment-12798 David Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:36:30 +0000 http://www.triplepundit.com/wordpress/2008/03/solar-thermal-electricity-catching-the-eye-of-utility-companies/#comment-12798 Could Solar Thermal plants work efficently in areas that are hot but may experience many cloudy days? I believe it can, which would be another advantage over PV cells. If cloudy days do not greatly reduce the capabilities of Solar Thermal plants then couldn't many smaller plants be built across the nation? This could reduce infrastructure concerns in my opinion. Could Solar Thermal plants work efficently in areas that are hot but may experience many cloudy days? I believe it can, which would be another advantage over PV cells.
If cloudy days do not greatly reduce the capabilities of Solar Thermal plants then couldn’t many smaller plants be built across the nation? This could reduce infrastructure concerns in my opinion.

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