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Forum Index : Solar : Solar farm in Spain
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Gizmo Admin Group  Joined: 05/06/2004 Location: AustraliaPosts: 5078 |
There's a pretty good article in the latest edition of Silicon Chip magazine ( August 2010 ), about the solar farms popping up in Spain. They are building several 50MW plants, and use a salt solution to provide base load power all day and night! The technology is here now, the excuse used by governments that only fossil fuels can provide the base load power is rubbish, Spain has proven that it can be done easily. To quote from the article "We no longer have to wait for years of research to bear fruit and we no longer have any excuse to delay." The article was written by Richard Keech and Matthew Wright of Beyond Zero Emmisions. Web Site Also in the magazine is a article on building a ultrasonic cleaner, might give that a go, I've used one before and they are realy good for cleaning metal parts and circuit boards. Glenn The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is right now. JAQ |
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| petanque don Senior Member  Joined: 02/08/2006 Location: AustraliaPosts: 212 |
I think solar towers (chimneys) can also provide base load electricity. I would imagine that one issue is that base load with the present system is nearly considered a by-product of peak period production and so is priced so cheaply that it is difficult to make money from it. |
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Downwind Guru  Joined: 09/09/2009 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2333 |
Hi Glenn, Thanks for the heads up on SC mag, as i actuall bought this months issue for a read. It looks like the mag, has started to go back to having a reasonable degree of circuit and project information again. (then they had to run out of DSO's to write about sooner or later) I might have a go at the ultrasonic cleaner myself too. Pete. Sometimes it just works |
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| Gizmo Admin Group Joined: 05/06/2004 Location: AustraliaPosts: 5078 |
Yeah as a electronics magazine its getting better. That article is good, its even pro wind. The storage of heat energy in salt is simple and safe, there's no excuse for us not to go down the same path as Spain, except I fear mighty coal dollar will dictate where our power comes from for many decades to come. The ultrasonic cleaner article is good, but I couldn't see a supplier for the kit anywhere. I have a couple of those little 12v portable fridges I've picked up from the dump for $5 each, so I'm thinking one of them would make a good ultrasonic cleaner. Rip out the peltier block and fit the ultrasonic transducer in its place. Glenn The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is right now. JAQ |
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| manuka Newbie  Joined: 18/12/2006 Location: New ZealandPosts: 19 |
Guys- it may have been a good coverage,BUT the article failed to mention that massive government subsidies drove the Spanish project,AND (following the 2008 economic meltdown in Spain) that these sweeteners have since been savagely slashed. The slant so neglected this aspect that I've penned a long "Mail Bag" letter to SiChip in response. As a result of recent global economic hard times, there's an over supply of many solar technologies, many of which were European subsidy driven. "Regular" solar photovolatics (PVs) have now become VERY well priced in response. Low profile PVs are much easier to roll out,mount,scale(up or down),tweak & maintain,& even can be roof mounted or have (shaded)land underneath retained for grazing etc. Even difficult terrain & discontinous sites can readily be used. There are no screaming turbines,generator conversion losses, precise mirror beaming or "after dark insulation". Even the mere availablity of water- precious in arid locations -may well be a thermal solar issue of course too... At their end of life (say 20 years) most PVs still have utility for less demanding applications-I've some 1980 era ex marine (& thus salt spray,wind & UV exposed) PVs that still work fine for hobbiest use. Overall PV schemes (both large & small) are now (mid 2010)increasingly being seen as a more attractive INVESTMENT than thermal solar electrical generators. Stan. (Regular "SiChip" contributor) |
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| Redman Regular Member  Joined: 12/06/2010 Location: AustraliaPosts: 41 |
If NSW labor are anything to go by then its never going to happen. The ETU in NSW had a golden chance to sell what will be in just 15 years outdated, costly and dirty technology, the coal generators. They could have fetched a fortune for them but the Unions took the scalp of LP leaders Lemma and Reece finally installing the puppet bimbo. If this is how the NSW labor government works then the libs work in similar but at polar opposite ends bedding down with private industry. http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/40254 http://directaction.org.au/issue2/nsw_labor_electricity_priv atisation_plans http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/02/18/nsw-labor-to-fight-iemma -on-privatisation/ http://www.solidarity.net.au/18/will-nathan-rees-survive-the -nsw-labor-conference/ Keep in mind these power stations will be totally useless in 30 years and probably shut down if green tech / carbon credits or both gets ahead. Then they are worthless mountains of 19th century technology... AND LABOR WANT TO KEEP THEM PUBLIC when so much money can be made. Money for green energy, trains, Epping line, Light rail, Hospitals... Total lack of vision, no competence and total amoral thugs. Bernie Riordan state rep Electrical Trades Union saved 2000 or less jobs but left 4 million people waiting on a train line, green energy and hospital upgrades. I just hope those 2000 jobs were worth it because in 30 years time they won't be there. Just in today http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/new-800-power-slug /story-e6frf7kx-1225905087931 @$2000 a year a 2 or 3kw solar system starts looking really good. If you are really brave, get a gas catalyst from Germany or Japan and pay no, zero electricity instead they pay you 100% of the time. |
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