Actually the total cost is quite low if you factor in the cost of fuel and expected lifetime of the plant. Remember that you are buying the "fuel" upfront with a solar plant. If this were a coal plant, image the cost of the needed coal for the same power for a period of 20 or 30 years.
I like that they are at least still developing new technologies or improving existing tech, making it greener. its a step in the right direction, efficiency will go up and startup cost will go down in time.
Wasn't there talk that the cost soared because of bureaucracy and bad management? I recall hearing that factions in Italian government both tried to cripple this project that has taken a long time to get going. 20 years is a long time to try getting a plant operational.
I wager if it was done right without so much governmental fighting it would cost less.
Oh - so this is where the money from my electric bill went...
Sure, I may not live in Italy, but they are the contractors behind my bills nevertheless 😀
This is old news. Very cool stuff though and I'm glad to see it getting some exposure. I've thought about trying this tech on a personal scale to get myself off the grid Oh, here is a patent that was filed in 2006 for the tech and I'm sure its older than that. http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7299633.html
It's "24-Hour Solar Energy Generation" except for the hours when it is dark and it is using stored thermal energy. How about the coal plant that has "24-Hour Solar Energy Generation" except that it uses ancient solar processes that stored chemical energy in hydrocarbons which is now released as thermal energy. Solar Coal!
[citation][nom]lamorpa[/nom]It's "24-Hour Solar Energy Generation" except for the hours when it is dark and it is using stored thermal energy. How about the coal plant that has "24-Hour Solar Energy Generation" except that it uses ancient solar processes that stored chemical energy in hydrocarbons which is now released as thermal energy. Solar Coal![/citation]
My thoughts exactly!
[citation][nom]Xatos[/nom]*yawn* More liberal and unrealistic junk.[/citation]
Ya god forbid we make efforts to try for cleaner energy...your right we will keep buring this infinite and clean fossil fuels...