Energeek The most powerful solar power plant in the world Grille Les Oiseaux written by: The next time writing:

The most powerful thermodynamic power plant in the world was inaugurated on Thursday, February 13, in the Mojaves desert (United States).At the border between Nevada and California, Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System was born from the NRG Energy association, Brightsource Energy and Google.The solar thermodynamic energy gives off more power than photovoltaic panels.The International Energy Agency estimates that it could represent 10% of electricity production worldwide by 2050.

The solar thermodynamic energy, the exploitation of which requires very strong sunshine, differs from solar power plants that we have in France.In theory, a field of solar sensors called Heliostats ("which fixes the sun" in Greek) captures the solar rays and directs them towards a fixed reception surface.In the case of Ivanpah, the beams are directed on a central tower and heat a huge water tank more than 500 degrees.The water is sprayed.Water vapor as in a conventional thermal power station is used to run turbines and produce electricity.

The solar monster extends over 14 km².It is equipped with 173,500 double-mirrors which heat three laps 140 meters high.It is a power of 392 megawatts (MW), enough to power 140,000 households for a year in electricity.Ivanpah represents 30% of the solar energy of the United States.

Ivanpah grille the birds

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Everything is not rosy, the project is the target of various criticisms.The Wall Street Journal judges its cost of $ 2.2 billion excessive.This is four times more than a gas power station that would produce more electricity.Its size is also pointed out.The three central towers are as high as a 69 -story building.The Indian tribes of the region opposed the project on the grounds that the height of the towers and the light emitted by the structure disturbs the field of vision.

Ivanpah has an impact on local fauna.The heat on site exceeds 500 degrees when it is sunny.Many birds have roasted on site by flying over the installation, according to the Wall Street Journal.The spokesperson for the NRG firm, Jeff Holland, who manages the power station said: "With the data we collect, it is far too early in the process to draw conclusions on the long -term impact on birds and thefauna ”.

Another problem, like all solar power plants, a thermodynamic solar power plant cannot work at night.Hence the challenge of the development of the means of storage of thermodynamic solar energy in the form of heat, electricity cannot be stored.

Photo credit: diverdave