Scientists in Abu Dhabi develop affordable solar power

Scientists in the UAE have successfully tested a new, affordable solar power storage system. The Masdar Institute’s demonstration aimed to show how concentrated solar power on demand could lead to more sustainable energy solutions. The demo prototype is expected to directly absorb and store 600 KWh of thermal energy in a one-tank system on the ground, and may prove to be more affordable and efficient than conventional two-tank systems. The CSPonD Demo system avoids the use of pipes, pumps, and double tanks by bringing the sunlight down directly to a receiver on the ground, which it does through secondary mirrors placed at the top of the tower. It also avoids costly receiver tubes that undergo thermal fatigue and can bring the entire system down with the smallest of leaks.