A solar (updraft) tower generates electricity by combing the chimney effect, the greenhouse effect and wind turbines. Air is heated by the sun in a greenhouse-like enclosure, and then passed through turbines and up a very tall tower, or chimney.
A prototype was operated in Spain for several years. Currently there are plans to build a commercial facility in Australia (above link, also see Wikipedia). Such power plants are best suited for areas with low land costs, and high solar radiation input . Once constructed, they are very easy to operate, and thus also well suited for undeveloped regions of the world.
I have included this post because the information was new to me. I came upon it in Roy Spencer's book, Climate Confusion, in the chapter, "Less Dumb Global Warming Solutions".
Saturday, October 10, 2009
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