World of Solar Thermal - Solar Thermal Energy Daily News, Events, Companies, Products, Jobs and more : Flower Power: World's First Hybrid Solar-Gas Turbine Turning on Soon 

Flower Power: World's First Hybrid Solar-Gas Turbine Turning on Soon
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Pangea on 10/12/2009 22:00:00
 
When operating at full capacity, the flower-like AORA plant will supply 100
kilowatts of electric power--enough for 70 households--and 170 kilowatts of
solar thermal energy. AORA's strucutre is based on technology developed at
Israel's Weizmann Institute of Science.
The modular, scaleable plant is made up of 30 mirrors (heliostats) that track
the sun and direct it to a 30 foot tall tower, which heats up the energy to 1000
degrees Celsius and directs it to a 100-kilowatt gas turbine that feeds solar
power to the grid. The microturbine can be run on solar thermal, biodiesel,
natural gas, and biogas.
Since the plant is hybrid, it could theoretically power off-grid systems in
developing communities. And since it only takes up half an acre of land, the
plant could be used in areas that lack space. As of right now, though, AORA
hasn't reached any deals with other countries for solar hybrid power plant
distribution.