Making Purified Thermal Energy Cheaper: A UniSA Breakthrough
Making purified thermal energy a whole lot cheaper is possible: this is the promising prospect that has emerged from the laboratory of the University of South Australia (UniSA), where researchers draw inspiration from perhaps the most unlikely of sources- plastic mirrors like the one that adorns your car.
That leak could cause a staggering 40% cut in the costs incurred in the production of thermal energy, which should excite stakeholders in the industrial and agricultural sectors for whom heat is an indispensable resource.
Swapping Glass with Plastic: A Lightweight, Tougher Alternative
Solar thermal systems usually make use of large and heavy glass mirrors. While providing good functionality, they typically have the disadvantage that they become too costly in manufacture and, worst of all, pose challenges in terms of installation. The game-changing aspect of this alternative concerns its advantage: approximately 50% lighter and far easier to install than glass. Also, they break much less easily.
Glossy. No worries. The plastic mirrors are coated with a special type of aluminum-silicate multi-layer coating. This smart trick allows them to reflect sunlight as effectively as the glass mirrors do.
From Lab to Vineyard: An Actual Test
The worst-case scenario is that it is not just a theory. A practical test is in the making. Sixteen of these modern mirror panels are generating the heat needed on-site for the vineyard at Charles Sturt University. A practical demonstration of how this technology can operate in the field- literally.
Conclusion: Capturing Tons of Potential
CST or Concentrated Solar Thermal is still finding its feet on the road to a more mainstream technology. But, the potential it commands is enormous. Think of it this way: one-quarter of the world's energy use goes into industrial heating. That same heating represents 20% of our CO₂ emissions.
The new UniSA solution appears to be suitable for deployment in sunny countries. It offers a bona fide way of easing the world's dependence on fossil fuels and reversing damages we have done to nature. Simple concept, potentially huge impacts.
