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.
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...