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In reply to the discussion: The World's Largest Solar Plant Started Creating Electricity Today [View all]ProSense
(116,464 posts)58. World’s Largest Solar Thermal Plant Uses As Much Water As Two Holes On Nearby Golf Course
Worlds Largest Solar Thermal Plant Uses As Much Water As Two Holes On Nearby Golf Course
By Ari Phillips
Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz marked the opening of the worlds largest solar thermal plant on Thursday in the Mojave Desert near the border of California and Nevada. The 392-MW Ivanpah project, developed by BrightSource Energy Co, started operating last month after six years of construction.
With California struggling through one of the worst droughts on record, and Ivanpah already being located in a high desert climate, water conservation has been a major focus. Solar thermal plants use solar mirrors to heat water in boilers that in turn produce steam to turn the electricity generating turbines, are more water intensive than more common solar photovoltaic panels.
Ivanpah is utilizing dry-cooling technology that dramatically reduces water usage, Moniz said. In fact, this entire facility will use roughly the same amount of water as two holes at the nearby golf course.
The electricity generated at Ivanpah will be enough to power more than 100,000 homes, and is expected to avoid more than 13.5 million tons of carbon dioxide over its 30-year lifetime, or the equivalent of taking over two million cars off the road. Last year, utility-scale solar installed a record 2.3 gigawatts.
- more -
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/02/13/3289361/worlds-largest-solar-plant/
By Ari Phillips
Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz marked the opening of the worlds largest solar thermal plant on Thursday in the Mojave Desert near the border of California and Nevada. The 392-MW Ivanpah project, developed by BrightSource Energy Co, started operating last month after six years of construction.
With California struggling through one of the worst droughts on record, and Ivanpah already being located in a high desert climate, water conservation has been a major focus. Solar thermal plants use solar mirrors to heat water in boilers that in turn produce steam to turn the electricity generating turbines, are more water intensive than more common solar photovoltaic panels.
Ivanpah is utilizing dry-cooling technology that dramatically reduces water usage, Moniz said. In fact, this entire facility will use roughly the same amount of water as two holes at the nearby golf course.
The electricity generated at Ivanpah will be enough to power more than 100,000 homes, and is expected to avoid more than 13.5 million tons of carbon dioxide over its 30-year lifetime, or the equivalent of taking over two million cars off the road. Last year, utility-scale solar installed a record 2.3 gigawatts.
- more -
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/02/13/3289361/worlds-largest-solar-plant/
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We're seriously thinking about panelling our roof......we've got great south and west roof space for
a kennedy
Feb 2014
#5
That's a great idea. In the South, we really need some shade to park in. Our cars
loudsue
Feb 2014
#57
Lowerng energy use, expanding wilderness, controlling our own reproduction, is not "primitive."
hunter
Feb 2014
#50
that is nice and all but not going to happen...You'll just have to go off-the-grid by yourself
snooper2
Feb 2014
#64
Have you been in Florida? Plenty of sun, but corrupt, disgusting politicians like gov. Rick Scott
AikidoSoul
Feb 2014
#97
The better analogy is how do transistor radios work when you stop broadcasting.
Gravitycollapse
Feb 2014
#48
"The main advantage of this type of solar plant is that it’s easy to store energy.."
G_j
Feb 2014
#14
I believe that they have now found ways to store solar energy for short periods of time
davidpdx
Feb 2014
#94
I just have one question, thought. Does this generate more or less electrical power than
TrollBuster9090
Feb 2014
#21
Amazing what happens when corporate whores are driven into splinter party status
Jack Rabbit
Feb 2014
#33
Your critique would make more sense if you assume that I want a Communist revolution
Jack Rabbit
Feb 2014
#73
Too much stupid... must resist.. blacking out now... I am the sole survivor of this thread...
XRubicon
Feb 2014
#80