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truedelphi

(32,324 posts)
Tue Jun 10, 2014, 02:32 PM Jun 2014

Solar Breakthrough from Oz Land:

Last edited Tue Jun 10, 2014, 03:32 PM - Edit history (1)

News
World first: Australian solar plant has generated “supercritical” steam that rivals fossil fuels’
ScienceAlert Staff
Thursday, 05 June 2014
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A CSIRO test plant in Australia has broken a world record and proved solar power could efficiently replace fossil fuels.

A solar thermal test plant in Newcastle, Australia, has generated “supercritical” steam at a pressure of 23.5 mpa (3400 psi) and 570°C (1,058°F). CSIRO is claiming it as a world record, and it’s a HUGE step for solar thermal energy.

"It's like breaking the sound barrier; this step change proves solar has the potential to compete with the peak performance capabilities of fossil fuel sources," Dr Alex Wonhas, CSIRO’s Energy Director, told Colin Jeffrey for Gizmag. The Energy Centre uses a field of more than 600 mirrors (known as heliostats) which are all directed at two towers housing solar receivers and turbines, Gizmag reports.

This supercritical steam is used to drive the world’s most advanced power plant turbines, but previously it’s only been possible to produce it by burning fossil fuels such as coal or gas.
"Instead of relying on burning fossil fuels to produce supercritical steam, this breakthrough demonstrates that the power plants of the future could instead be using the free, zero emission energy of the sun to achieve the same result,” Dr Wonhas explained.

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http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news/20140506-25618.html
Decent graphics at above link, as well as a video and a bit more text.

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Solar Breakthrough from Oz Land: (Original Post) truedelphi Jun 2014 OP
link? Sancho Jun 2014 #1
here's one: corkhead Jun 2014 #3
That was it. Thanks corkhead. n/t truedelphi Jun 2014 #4
Thanks! Sancho Jun 2014 #5
This is awesome! Enthusiast Jun 2014 #2

Enthusiast

(50,983 posts)
2. This is awesome!
Tue Jun 10, 2014, 02:53 PM
Jun 2014

Fossil fuels are solar energy too. Ancient sedimentary solar energy in the form of fossil fuel. So all our energy comes from the sun any way we look at it. Even wind energy is solar powered. I guess tidal energy and nuclear would be exceptions.

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