Ausra (company)

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Fresnel solar concentrators.
Fresnel solar concentrators.

Ausra Inc., developer of large-scale solar thermal power technology, has assembled a team of solar power researchers, power project developers and financiers to make reliable, solar thermal power stations a reality today for electric utilities in Palo Alto, California.[1]

Contents

[edit] Technical details

Ausra's power plants drive steam turbines with sunshine:

"Locally manufactured solar concentrators made of steel and glass focus sunlight to boil water, generating high-pressure steam that drives conventional turbine generators. New thermal energy storage systems using pressurized water and low cost materials will provide for on-demand generation day and night."[1]

[edit] Economics

Ausra's proprietary technology significantly reduces the cost of a solar thermal power plant and so is capable of significantly reducing global carbon emissions normally associated with electricity generation.[2] Ausra has recently secured more than $40 million in funding from Silicon Valley venture capital firms Khosla Ventures and Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers.[1]

[edit] Manufacturing

In December 2007 Ausra announced it is building the first U.S. manufacturing plant for solar thermal power systems, in Las Vegas. The 130,000-square-foot, highly automated manufacturing and distribution center will produce the reflectors, towers, absorber tubes, and other key components of the company's solar thermal power plants. The plant is to begin regular operation in April 2008.[3]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Solar Companies Secure Large Investments
  2. ^ Carrizo Energy Solar Farm, Volume 1, p. 1-1.
  3. ^ First U.S. Solar Thermal Power Manufacturing Plant Lands in Nevada

[edit] External links