Daily Current Affairs : 20-July-2024
China has recently launched the world’s first dual-tower solar thermal power plant in Gansu Province. This modern facility marks a significant advancement in solar power technology by enhancing energy efficiency by 24%. The plant’s innovative design and technology aim to provide a more sustainable and reliable source of renewable energy.
Key Features of the Dual-Tower Solar Power Plant
The dual-tower solar thermal power plant boasts several key features that set it apart from traditional solar energy facilities:
- Dual-Tower Design: The plant uses two 200-meter-tall towers, each surrounded by nearly 30,000 mirrors. These mirrors concentrate sunlight onto the towers, where it is used to generate steam and drive turbines for electricity production.
- Mirror Configuration for Maximum Efficiency: The plant’s innovative design allows the mirrors to serve both towers. This overlapping mirror arrangement boosts energy efficiency by allowing better use of sunlight during different times of the day.
- Molten Salt Storage: A crucial component of the plant is its molten salt storage system. This acts as a thermal battery that stores excess heat collected during the day. At night or on cloudy days, the stored heat can be released to continue generating power, ensuring a stable energy supply even when the sun is not shining.
- High Reflection Efficiency: The mirrors used in the plant are made from specialized materials that offer a reflection efficiency of 94%. This high level of efficiency means more sunlight is captured and converted into energy, improving overall performance.
- Sun-Tracking Technology: The mirrors are equipped with sun-tracking systems. This allows them to automatically adjust their position throughout the day, following the sun’s movement from east to west. In the morning, the mirrors focus on the eastern tower, and in the afternoon, they shift to concentrate sunlight on the western tower.
Benefits and Impact
This dual-tower solar thermal power plant represents a major step forward in renewable energy technology. Its design not only enhances efficiency but also contributes to the development of a more sustainable energy system in China. By harnessing the power of the sun more effectively, it helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lowers carbon emissions, supporting global efforts to combat climate change.
Important Points:
- First Dual-Tower Solar Thermal Plant: Located in Gansu Province, China, it is the world’s first dual-tower solar thermal power plant.
- Energy Efficiency: The plant boosts energy efficiency by 24% compared to traditional solar power plants.
- Dual-Tower Design: Features two 200-meter-tall towers, each surrounded by nearly 30,000 mirrors that concentrate sunlight for electricity generation.
- Mirror Configuration: The overlapping mirror arrangement allows mirrors to serve both towers, improving energy efficiency throughout the day.
- Molten Salt Storage: Stores excess heat collected during the day, allowing the plant to continue generating power at night or on cloudy days.
- High Reflection Efficiency: Mirrors are made from specialized materials offering 94% reflection efficiency, capturing more sunlight for energy production.
- Sun-Tracking Technology: Mirrors automatically adjust to follow the sun’s movement, focusing on the eastern tower in the morning and the western tower in the afternoon.
- Environmental Impact: Reduces reliance on fossil fuels, lowers carbon emissions, and supports global efforts to combat climate change.
- Innovation in Renewable Energy: Demonstrates China’s leadership in renewable energy innovation and could inspire similar projects worldwide.
Why In News
China has introduced the world’s first dual-tower solar thermal power plant in Gansu Province, a groundbreaking innovation that enhances energy efficiency by 24%, setting a new benchmark for renewable energy technologies.
MCQs about China’s Groundbreaking Dual-Tower Solar Power Plant
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Where is the world’s first dual-tower solar thermal power plant located?
A. Beijing, China
B. Gansu Province, China
C. California, USA
D. Queensland, Australia
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What is the main design feature of the dual-tower solar power plant that improves its energy efficiency?
A. Use of solar panels instead of mirrors
B. Dual-tower configuration with overlapping mirror arrangement
C. Large-scale wind turbines alongside solar towers
D. Integration of nuclear energy with solar power
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How does the molten salt storage system in the dual-tower solar power plant work?
A. It stores excess electricity generated during the day.
B. It stores excess heat from the sun to generate power at night.
C. It stores wind energy to be used when sunlight is unavailable.
D. It stores water for cooling purposes only.
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What technology is used in the solar mirrors to track the sun’s movement?
A. Wind-powered sensors
B. Sun-tracking technology
C. GPS systems
D. Automatic thermal adjustment
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