Renewable energy

Researchers in the German city of Juelich hope a new solar array put into operation on Thursday will prove to be more efficient than ones currently in use around the world.

The system works by reflecting the light from 2,153 mirrors to a 22-square-meter (239-square-foot) ceramic receptor atop a 60-meter tower. The steam produced as gas in the receptor heats up to over 700 degrees Celsius (1,292 degrees Fahrenheit) and powers a turbine that is used to generate power.

The 23 million euro ($32.7 million) project that takes up about eight hectares (20 acres) would be capable of powering 350 homes, according to Juelich's utility provider, which along with the Juelich Solar Institute, German Aerospace Center and a Munich power company is responsible for the power plant.

Role in Desertec project

"The area of renewable energy is of particular interest to export-heavy companies," said Christa Thoben, North Rhine-Westphalia's minister for economics and energy. "The solar thermal power station in Juelich is showing how it's done."

Despite receiving some 10.6 million euros of funding from the federal and two state governments, the array's potential will likely not be realized in Germany, but in sunnier regions closer to the equator, Thoben said.

German Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel added that the new solar project would help solidify Germany's expertise in the renewable energy market.

"We are creating the technical requirements for solar power to be delivered from the desert," he said. "Thanks to these kinds of technical investments we are prepared to be a leader in a driving market of the future."

The technology is expected to play an important role in the Desertec consortium's plan to provide energy to Europe from massive solar arrays in Africa and the Middle East.

sms/dpa/

Editor: Susan Houlton