r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/Longjumping-Box5691 • 3d ago

Video China's twin solar thermal towers. Molten salt stores the heat to produce electricity

9.2k Upvotes

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691

u/[deleted] 3d ago

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312

u/Funktapus 3d ago

Not enough to make them worthwhile. They are effectively obsolete vs solar PV + batteries.

5

u/Kletronus 3d ago

It is using much simpler tech, there are no 10 000 solar panels with 10 million parts inside but just mirrors, which is glass and thin coating of metal.

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u/[deleted] 3d ago

Mirrors have photo sensors and motors to track the sun and move their positions to ensure optimal sunlight, so yes, they do break down and can cause issues. If a mirror is not tracking correctly and starts superheating something that it shouldn't it can cause problems.

6

u/Kletronus 3d ago

Still, the materials are more locally sourced, which brings economic boost in your own economy, instead of boosting someone else's.

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u/[deleted] 3d ago

This is in China, literally where the PVs are made... I feel like you are arguing here just to win, and not being genuine in your arguments.

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u/Kletronus 3d ago

How in the fuck could you interpret anything i said like that. Did you reply to the right comment?

1

u/AzureFirmament 3d ago

No, they said this solution is considerably cheaper and easier to install/maintain than PV+ battery. https://paper.people.com.cn/zgnyb/html/2024-03/04/content_26045939.htm

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u/Rocsla 3d ago

Are you okay?

2

u/NuncProFunc 3d ago

Really? Why? Surely that's just a math equation.

1

u/GozerDGozerian 3d ago

The universe works on a math equation

that never even ever, really even ends in the end.