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Solar plant to store energy in molten salt

CNET News -- ...While the sun is shining, giant heliostats reflect sunlight into a center pool of hot, liquefied salt that absorbs the heat. The molten salt, which can be kept hot even at night or on cloudy days for up to 24 sunless hours, is used to feed a steam-generated turbine to make electricity. The salt is then redirected out of the generator to be reheated and used again.

...The Alcazar solar-thermal power project is set to break ground in 2010. It is expected to generate 750 construction jobs and 75 facility operation jobs, according to the companies.

...Once fully operational, the plant is expected to generate over 300,000 megawatt-hours of electricity per year, roughly enough to power 70,000 Spanish homes.

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Submitted Nov 18, 2009 By: DellDude2

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davidel57 Champion Author Houston Posts:4,928 Points:856,065 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Nov 19, 2009 7:14:52 AM Ignore davidel57 Report Abuse I like it.
99dakota Champion Author Providence Posts:5,734 Points:1,709,370 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Nov 19, 2009 4:48:45 AM Ignore 99dakota Report Abuse nice
DrCashFlow Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:4,790 Points:1,172,455 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Nov 19, 2009 3:08:09 AM Ignore DrCashFlow Report Abuse good idea. cost?
OHMS Champion Author Orange County Posts:10,815 Points:1,253,445 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 9:00:50 PM Ignore OHMS Report Abuse come on little burdies; don't land over the molten salt lagoon. your eggs will be brittle, and the EPA will get involved; along with the DOE and all those letters that slow any worthwhile happening in a quagmire
DerHahn Champion Author Illinois Posts:11,161 Points:1,656,150 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 8:01:37 PM Ignore DerHahn Report Abuse need to get things like running here in america. too bad an american company has to take it's ideas elsewhere.
pulpwood Champion Author Mississippi Posts:5,631 Points:1,498,750 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 6:56:07 PM Ignore pulpwood Report Abuse Brilliant! Big oil will have their political puppets do all they can to stop this!
djgunrunner Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:7,606 Points:1,890,845 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 5:35:32 PM Ignore djgunrunner Report Abuse At what cost are these great miracles? How much will it drive up our power bills?
lgwhitlock Champion Author Chico Posts:5,145 Points:1,226,395 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 5:32:13 PM Ignore lgwhitlock Report Abuse Sounds very promising. Now if only we could do this on a bigger scale...
Zonk Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,142 Points:1,641,025 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 5:21:54 PM Ignore Zonk Report Abuse Sounds good. How do Spanish homes compare to a standard American home?
fasu007 Veteran Author South Carolina Posts:480 Points:1,034,755 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 5:10:45 PM Ignore fasu007 Report Abuse Great idea.
jcurley Champion Author California Posts:5,656 Points:1,325,570 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 5:08:15 PM Ignore jcurley Report Abuse According to the article, "The Santa Monica, Calif.-based start-up, SolarReserve uses a fairly unique method to offer power from a solar plant even after the sun sets." Yes! An American company doing something good!
lpj Champion Author Macon Posts:8,583 Points:1,700,640 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 5:05:41 PM Ignore lpj Report Abuse need to build all over the usa to save save !!!!
Focus2 Champion Author Illinois Posts:6,311 Points:1,632,865 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 5:03:19 PM Ignore Focus2 Report Abuse The USA should be coming up with these ideas. Oil is only King because we permit it to be. Those that permit it to reign are the one's addicted to the money it brings in.
lowpet Veteran Author Texas Posts:344 Points:76,475 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 5:00:36 PM Ignore lowpet Report Abuse Great, now to make this available to the public
Lukus Champion Author Halifax Posts:6,042 Points:1,219,535 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 4:57:13 PM Ignore Lukus Report Abuse Now that souhds like a good alternative. I am sure we could also be using a Solar panel on the roofs of cars.
signwiz Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,395 Points:1,352,180 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 4:53:48 PM Ignore signwiz Report Abuse Sounds like a win-win.
caddilac Champion Author Ontario Posts:13,806 Points:1,675,730 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 4:51:37 PM Ignore caddilac Report Abuse It seems that people in some countries aren't reluctant to embrace progress and getting free power from the sun.
K1500 Champion Author Birmingham Posts:1,055 Points:187,170 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 4:49:46 PM Ignore K1500 Report Abuse Wow, great idea! Let's see how it works!
dhnbBUG Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:2,625 Points:1,098,610 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 4:49:32 PM Ignore dhnbBUG Report Abuse Very interesting.
julius1st4 Champion Author Ontario Posts:3,137 Points:1,026,070 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 4:43:00 PM Ignore julius1st4 Report Abuse I think that I've heard everything NOW????
camel1 Champion Author Minnesota Posts:6,060 Points:1,818,465 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 4:42:02 PM Ignore camel1 Report Abuse Strange process. Is it actually a financially beneficial process.
YLHandyman Champion Author Orange County Posts:5,009 Points:931,010 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 4:41:48 PM Ignore YLHandyman Report Abuse A pillar of salt.
Brewernut All-Star Author Milwaukee Posts:854 Points:320,330 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 4:40:02 PM Ignore Brewernut Report Abuse lets see if it works
spazz1218 Rookie Author Tampa Posts:51 Points:15,725 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 4:38:50 PM Ignore spazz1218 Report Abuse what an amazing breakthrough of technology going to be awesome when it kicks off
georgeo Champion Author California Posts:4,172 Points:178,965 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 4:38:07 PM Ignore georgeo Report Abuse Ideas have to be tried before progress can be made. This sounds good.
Eichhornchen Champion Author Detroit Posts:3,772 Points:747,390 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 4:37:49 PM Ignore Eichhornchen Report Abuse keep working on alternatives
1Casey Champion Author Albany Posts:4,536 Points:1,422,110 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 4:35:32 PM Ignore 1Casey Report Abuse Sounds great lets keep moving forward.
ss70 Champion Author Detroit Posts:6,945 Points:1,429,905 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 4:35:06 PM Ignore ss70 Report Abuse best way that we know to overcome shortcoming of Solar.
Joeski1 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:6,796 Points:1,277,860 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 4:32:10 PM Ignore Joeski1 Report Abuse this is amazing!! Please keep us updated with any other developements...
gypsykid Champion Author Florida Posts:2,192 Points:435,515 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 4:29:45 PM Ignore gypsykid Report Abuse cool!
hibsaw Champion Author Mississippi Posts:5,686 Points:1,217,990 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 4:25:52 PM Ignore hibsaw Report Abuse Try it here.
SBlouch Champion Author San Antonio Posts:6,902 Points:1,473,805 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 4:24:28 PM Ignore SBlouch Report Abuse The Spanish are really looking for and using solar energy. Now they have found a way to create jobs as well as provide energy on cloudy days for up to 24 su8nless hours. Good for them. Maybe the USA can use this out in the West where there is sand and desert.
ItisAJeepThing Champion Author Tucson Posts:15,400 Points:1,687,605 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 4:16:54 PM Ignore ItisAJeepThing Report Abuse Great for Spain. We need solar projects here in the US.
Hugo40 Champion Author Kentucky Posts:5,295 Points:1,155,450 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 4:12:35 PM Ignore Hugo40 Report Abuse Everyone is getting on the Green bandwagon but what long term changes will hold up will be seen down the road.
njerald Champion Author Seattle Posts:5,498 Points:1,169,625 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 4:09:55 PM Ignore njerald Report Abuse Ho hum...
BBHybrid Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:4,695 Points:936,235 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 4:07:51 PM Ignore BBHybrid Report Abuse shot in the arm for solar plants
jwalkerh Champion Author Louisiana Posts:4,329 Points:1,012,180 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 4:05:23 PM Ignore jwalkerh Report Abuse Great idea but what about the corrosion aspect.
JMJarvis1952 Champion Author Houston Posts:1,535 Points:409,405 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 4:03:45 PM Ignore JMJarvis1952 Report Abuse Wow don't fall into that!
Zooma Rookie Author Quebec Posts:32 Points:162,290 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 4:01:08 PM Ignore Zooma Report Abuse Good to hear this news.. Keep it up .. hopefully all the other countries consider too..
Rednix Champion Author Miami Posts:3,904 Points:817,995 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 4:00:37 PM Ignore Rednix Report Abuse Do you have to replace the salt? Or is this renewable?
sabob Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:7,459 Points:678,765 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 4:00:33 PM Ignore sabob Report Abuse I musthave missed something, why molten salt??? Won't the salt corrode away the turbines like it does my car & truck??? wont work in the northeast anyway, no sun in winter to speak of!!!!
Dipstick1 Champion Author Amarillo Posts:6,621 Points:1,760,085 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 3:59:41 PM Ignore Dipstick1 Report Abuse Oh boy, hot salt!
jellyfishgirl All-Star Author Milwaukee Posts:981 Points:238,530 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 3:58:38 PM Ignore jellyfishgirl Report Abuse Alright, I have been to Spain. It is pretty much a dump. If they can figure this out, why hasn't it been brought to fruition here?
CPGas1815 Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,191 Points:729,405 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 3:49:59 PM Ignore CPGas1815 Report Abuse Green energy is our only hope to stave off global warming.
unicornpmb Champion Author Buffalo Posts:6,132 Points:1,165,400 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 3:45:33 PM Ignore unicornpmb Report Abuse Sounds great for Spain. It could work here in the right area. Not to good for WNY.
teafortwo Champion Author Washington Posts:15,390 Points:926,180 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 3:43:32 PM Ignore teafortwo Report Abuse Another step in the right direction .... FROM THE ARTICLE: SolarReserve and Preneal have garnered the necessary permit to build a 50-megawatt thermal-solar plant in Spain that will use molten salt to store and release solar energy, the companies said Wednesday. The project will be built in Alcazar de San Juan, a town about 110 miles south of Madrid. The environmental permit that will allow the construction of a project using molten salt was issued by the local Castilla-La Mancha government. The Santa Monica, Calif.-based start-up, SolarReserve uses a fairly unique method to offer power from a solar plant even after the sun sets. SolarReserve's partner on the Spain project, Madrid-based Preneal, is a development and construction company that specializes in wind and solar energy plants.
skyhawkcam All-Star Author Richmond Posts:983 Points:553,315 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 3:43:18 PM Ignore skyhawkcam Report Abuse Sounds promising.Too bad the current administration can't/won't support this type of energy independence here.
brus282 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:4,659 Points:953,210 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 3:41:27 PM Ignore brus282 Report Abuse Sounds good if all of your days are sunny, but that only happens in some areas
Sneakers55 Champion Author Houston Posts:43,421 Points:1,715,030 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 3:38:27 PM Ignore Sneakers55 Report Abuse TBRR wrote: >i think the plant is being built in spain. there we go >again with europe leading the way. too much government >interference in this country to build something like that. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is building a molten salt energy plant near Las Vegas. So take your "too much Government interference" drivel over to US Politics where it belongs. [Edited by: Sneakers55 at 11/18/2009 4:40:28 PM EST]
JuliusRex Champion Author Orlando Posts:1,689 Points:308,610 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Nov 18, 2009 3:37:19 PM Ignore JuliusRex Report Abuse MedicKirk1: they probably have some other backup heaters (electric or gas) they can run if the primary loop solidifies.