Archimede Expected to Operate for Longer Duration

The Archimede, is a new solar power plant constructed by the National Agency, for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development the Italian Utility situated in Priolo Gargallo (Sicily). Unlike the conventional solar plants that use concentrated solar power (CSP), utilizing direct sun light the new plant utilizes molten salt and operates for a longer duration by storing it.

More over molten salts can perform at higher temperatures up to 550ºC, than the normally used synthetic oils that cannot exceed 390°C, thus increasing the power output of the plant efficiently. The high heat performing efficiency allows the power plants to operate 24 hours a day without interruption, or in some cases for a number of days.

Also the use of molten salt in the solar plants is considered safer, than that of using oil, as such use addresses the fears related to environmental impact. Carlo Ombello, who works in the Guardian as news writer, calls molten salts as cost effective, harmless common fertilizers that do not ignite unlike the synthetic oils that are presently used in CSP plants all over the world.

The high temperature retaining feature of molten salts allows easy integration of molten salt plants with steam turbines without much modification in the infrastructure. The inherent problem of molten salts solidifying beyond 220°C temperature is currently solved by the Archimede plant by introducing extensive technological innovations.

Source: http:// www.archimedesolarenergy.com