博文

目前显示的是标签为“Steve Christ”的博文

Solar Updraft Tower

图片
As the turbines spin, clean renewable energy will flow into the power grid. In short, it's an interesting mix of the best of both solar and wind power; but unlike solar and wind, the mechanical energy created by Davey’s machine allows the unit to operate 24/7. As for cost, the project has a $750 million price tag. According to a 2005 industry report, this would imply about 10 cents per kilowatt-hour, which is roughly one-third the cost of electricity from current solar cells and almost half of the cost from nuclear power. Financial models suggest the tower will pay for itself in 11 years; engineers believe the tower will have a life span of 80 years. Once it’s built, Davey’s tower can be expected to produce power with virtually no maintenance. Better yet, it requires no "feed stock" — nothing but air and sunlight spin the turbines...Instead, hot air rushes out of the huge, towering mouth of Davey's creation — enough hot air, in fact, to turn a massive turbin...