It’s the birthday of Alexander Graham Bell, whose telephone came as the accidental consequence of his interest in developing a tool that might teach deaf people how to speak. To me, it’s another reminder that accidental discoveries are extremely common. …
Clean Energy Technology Is Developed in Mysterious Ways Read More »
We’re working up another in our series of infographics, in our quest to lay out some of the basics of renewable energy for people who may be new to the subject. Here’s the text that I propose to use for …
I wrote recently that it’s impossible to predict the ROI associated with solar thermal (aka concentrated solar power or CSP). What I was referring to was utility-scale CSP. Personally, I think the future will hold significant reductions in costs and …
The ROI on Solar Thermal – aka Concentrated Solar Power Read More »
I just received this terse question from a reader: “What’s the ROI (return on investment) on solar thermal?” I responded, hoping to prompt more discussion: “That’s an interesting but impossible question to answer. What is the nature of your interest …
What’s the Return on Investment on Solar Thermal? Read More »
“The way to have good ideas is to have lots of ideas,” two-time Nobel prize laureate Linus Pauling said modestly. That’s something to think about, isn’t it? Don’t stress out about the quality of your ideas – at least initially. …
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23ZbWSSBoIE] Here’s a few minutes of video on a business plan I really love. It’s a breakthrough in concentrated solar power, or CSP, aka solar thermal energy, made by a guy I’ve met and come to know and trust. …
Concentrated Solar Power — Hot Clean Energy Plan Read More »
I was disappointed to learn that the gigawatt solar project in Blythe, CA decided to switch from CSP to PV. The issue, at least on the surface, is “bankability,” i.e., maturity of the technology, along with the obvious fact that …
I frequently extol the virtues of CSP (concentrated solar power), aka solar thermal. For those looking for a good introduction with images that illustrate the concept, the link above is a solid video on the subject.
I’m at a loss to understand something, and I’m wondering if I could appeal to readers to help explain it. Last year, Areva, the French energy giant, best known (at least in the US) as a nuclear energy company, bought …
Is Areva Really Involved in Solar? We Can Live With the Truth Either Way. Read More »
Thanks to all those who wrote in commenting, or requesting more information on Ahura Energy, the folks with the claim to breakthrough CSP cost/efficiency. I should have mentioned that I’m under NDA re: the technology. And, though the company’s founder …
Ahura Energy Claims Breakthrough in CSP Cost, Efficiency Read More »
