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."

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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.
Hell, if it can work for Obama... by Anonymous Coward · 2010-01-06 14:07 · Score: -1, Offtopic

why not for the Chicago PD? http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local-beat/chicago-police-scrap-entrance-exam-80790827.html