Massive Solar Updraft Towers Planned For Arizona

Posted by samzenpus on Wednesday January 6, 2010 @11:52AM from the juice-and-a-tan dept.

MikeChino writes "Australia-based EnviroMission Ltd recently announced plans to build two solar updraft towers that span hundreds of acres in La Paz County, Arizona. Solar updraft technology sounds promising enough: generate hot air with a giant greenhouse, channel the air into a chimney-like device, and let the warm wind turn a wind turbine to produce energy. The scale of the devices would be staggering — each plant would consist of a 2,400 foot chimney over a greenhouse measuring four square miles. The Southern California Public Power Authority has approved EnviroMission as a provider, although there’s still plenty of work to be done before the $750 million, 200 megawatt project can begin."

2 of 572 comments (clear)

Min score:

Reason:

Sort:

Re:Plenty of consulting dollars to be spent by jcr · 2010-01-06 13:11 · Score: 0, Offtopic

hookers and blow don't generate any tax revenue.
You say that like it's a bad thing.
In the words of P. J. O'Rourke, giving money to governments is like giving whiskey and car keys to adolescent boys.
-jcr

--
The only title of honor that a tyrant can grant is "Enemy of the State."
Re:I can't help but wonder... by DJRumpy · 2010-01-06 13:52 · Score: 1, Offtopic

Ever gotten into a sealed car on a hot summer day? Same idea. The air within the tower will be heated by the greenhouse. The heat will rise, pulling cooler air in from the base using convection.