Massive Solar Tower Planned For Arizona

inkscapee writes "It's simple, clean, low-maintenance, and cost-effective: using hot air on a large scale to generate electricity. No, this not a plan to use Congress to generate power, though that would certainly be an endless supply — EnviroMission will use air rising up a tall tower to generate 200 megawatts of electricity. The concept is simple: a giant greenhouse at the base of the tower warms the air. The warmed air rises through the tower and turns turbines, which generate electricity. The taller the tower, the faster the air moves, which increases power output. This structure will be a monster at over 2600 feet tall. It works in all weather, and if there is a feasible water source, food could be grown in the greenhouse."

Comments

Sounds great in theory

[Anonymous Coward]

But too bad - the greenhouse effect is a myth, as we all know.

"Twice the hieght of the Empire State"

[Baloroth]

The mammoth 800-plus meter (2625 ft) tall tower will instantly become one of the world's tallest buildings.

Compensating for something there, Arizona?

Re:Hmmm. Transporting relatively hot air

[GameboyRMH]

It's in Arizona, what do they have to lose? :-P

Re:Some can

[cmiller173]

At those temperatures, we can just put pigs in the bottom to get bacon strips.

Yep, they cook then get drawn into the turbine, it'll be raining bacon strips for mile downwind.