It is a shame that when Dr Hewson campaigns in the Wentworth byelection he is not asked some hard questions about the viability of solar thermal electricity generation schemes has has promoted over the years. He should also be asked about ARENA who found that concentrated solar thermal (CST) technology could be a commercially viable form of dispatchable renewable energy within a decade. English translation – NOT VIABLE NOW. Dr Hewson and Solastor have for years promoted aq model where tracking mirrors concentrate the suns rays on a graphite block generating steam to drive turbines – but despite over a decade of trials and pilot projects in Cooma and Lake Cargelligo I am not aware this system is working continuously anywhere delivering grid electricity economically? Solastor has no news for 2018 which suggests they realize their models are a fail. Vast Solar Pty Ltd(Dr Hewson has no connection I am aware of) have their long gestating solar thermal plant near Forbes that heats molten sodium but that has been sidelined in favour of a simple solar PV development. ARENA is not supporting any Port Augusta projects I can find and ditto for the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. I am keen to hear of any Govt support for concentrated solar thermal projects anywhere in Australia.
via Errors in IPCC climate science
October 9, 2018 at 08:08PM
Iowa Climate Science Education 