The largest solar thermal plant in the world is located in California, USA. Ivanpah was commissioned recently and supplies between 140,000 and 150,000 homes with electricity. As the term renewable energy appears more and more often in the news, the realization of this project raises the question: are solar thermal power plants the future?
Renewable energy – Ivanpah solar thermal power plant in the California desert
Ivanpah solar thermal power plant covers an area of 17 square kilometers. Three large towers produce 30% of the renewable solar energy in the United States. The largest project of this type is already in service, and thanks to innovative technology, electricity production is more environmentally friendly than with standard photovoltaic modules. The plant has more than 173,500 heliostats, controlled by modern software to track the sun. Approximately 300,000 electronically adjustable mirrors focus solar energy on specific boilers in the towers. Concentrated solar power is then directed to three water towers, where it heats the water. Finally, the steam is sent to turbines that generate electricity.
Renewable energy – solar thermal power plant reduces water consumption by 95%
Ivanpah solar thermal power plant reduces water consumption by more than 95%. Unlike other solar thermal power plants, it uses air instead of water to increase steam production for renewable energy. The energy is then used by households and businesses, making it an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional power plants. In the coming years, it will become clear whether this is really the wave of the future.
The solar plant will provide more than 140,000 households with electricity
Renewable energy – the system saves resources
Modern technology
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Peter Dark
Anna Lohan
