The Dunhuang Molten Salt Tower Solar Power Plant

 

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The Dunhuang Molten Salt Tower Solar Power Plant is Asia's first large-scale commercial solar thermal project using tower technology. Located in Dunhuang, Gansu Province, China, this groundbreaking plant uses molten salt as the heat transfer and storage medium. Sunlight is reflected by thousands of heliostats (mirrors) and concentrated onto a receiver at the top of a 260-meter tower. The molten salt absorbs the heat and stores it, allowing the plant to generate electricity even when the sun is not shining. With a designed capacity of 100 megawatts, the Dunhuang plant can store heat for up to 11 hours, ensuring continuous power generation, capable of supplying electricity to around 100,000 households. 🏡⚡

🔍 Interesting Facts about Solar Thermal Power:

Dunhuang Solar Plant Covers an Area Equal to 600 Football Fields:

The Dunhuang solar thermal plant spans 7.8 square kilometers, equivalent to the size of 600 football fields. This massive area is filled with mirrors, optimizing sunlight collection for maximum efficiency. 🏟️🔆

Molten Salt Stores Extreme Heat:

Molten salt can store heat at temperatures of up to 565°C, allowing solar thermal plants to keep generating power long after sunset, providing a reliable energy source even in the dark. 🌡️🌙

Solar Thermal Power Stations Thrive in Desert Regions:

Deserts, with their vast open land and abundant sunlight, are ideal for solar thermal plants. Regions like Dunhuang in China, Nevada in the USA, and the Andalusian Desert in Spain are prime examples of how this technology can be effectively deployed in arid environments. 🏜️🔋

🌍 Other Solar Thermal Projects Around the World 🌐

🇪🇸 Spain - Gemasolar Plant:

Spain is a pioneer in solar thermal energy. The Gemasolar plant, using similar molten salt tower technology, has a capacity of 20 megawatts and boasts up to 15 hours of heat storage. It became famous for setting a record in 2013 by continuously supplying electricity for 36 days without interruptions. ⚡🔆

🇺🇸 United States - Crescent Dunes Plant:

The Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project in Nevada, USA, also uses molten salt for energy storage, with a capacity of 110 megawatts and 10+ hours of heat storage. Like the Dunhuang plant, it can provide electricity even after the sun sets. 🌅⚡

🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates - Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park:

Dubai's solar park includes a 700-megawatt molten salt tower plant, making it one of the largest solar thermal projects in the world. This project further demonstrates the scalability of solar thermal technology in regions with abundant sunlight. ☀️🏜️

Source: Novasphere TikTok