The BrightSource Energy plant, a state-of-the-art solar plant in the Mojave Desert, works on the principal of focusing sunlight on a bunch of towers full of water until the water boils and drives a series of steam powered generators. Unfortunately, the reflected sunlight also focuses on the areas around the towers, and when flying animals like insects, bats and birds pass through that area, they spontaneously ignite into "streamers", to use the industry jargon. Possibly as many as two a minute, or 120 an hour, or 2,880 a day, or 1,051,200 per year. So something's gone all fucked up.
And, if anyone has followed the story of this particular plant, they will know that California abused and/or ignored any number of its own enviro laws to get it up and running.
This is something that must be fixed. The U.S. media coverage, thus far, can be seen here: Green Power Plant Sends Flaming Avians Falling From Skies!!! And it will continue, and expand, if for no other reason than interests opposed to renewable energy projects will make sure it does.
That is all.
I'm surprised that Chick-fil-a hasn't posted minimum-wage staff with large nets around the area to collect the pre-cooked 'chicken'. That would be putting the free in free enterprise.
ReplyDeleteFurther to the "design flaw"
ReplyDeletehttp://www.arizonadailyindependent.com/2014/08/22/ivanpah-solar-plant-wants-to-burn-more-natural-gas/
For all you folks that believe excess CO2 is an existential threat to humanity and the planet, refuse to look real hard at renewables is beyond belief.