Molten salt solves solar storage problems [View All]

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http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2206622/molten-salt-solves-solar

Molten salt solves solar storage problems

US firms claim solar energy storage systems based on molten salt have reached commercial viability

James Murray, BusinessGreen, 07 Jan 2008

A new breed of solar farm capable of delivering energy on demand even when it is dark or overcast is poised for a major breakthrough this year, according to two US firms who claim they are ready to commercialise the technology.

Molten salt technologies capable of storing heat generated from solar panels so that the energy can be harnessed at any time have been subject to widespread trials over the past decade with several facilities having already proved successful.

But now two of the leading firms in the field, US Renewables Group (USRG) and UTC-subsidiary Hamilton Sundstrand, have committed to step up commercialisation of the technology and revealed that they are likely to begin work on a major new project before the end of the year.

"With oil at $60 a barrel, the commercial case for this technology was not that strong, but with it at $100 a barrel it is very strong indeed," explained Hamilton Sundstrand's Dan Coulom.

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