- Archimede Project
Archimede Project is a solar power plant project under construction in Sicily.The Archimede Project represents the first application worldwide [ link at [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/sicily-to-build-worlds-first-solar-power-plant-442174.html] ] of the integration of a gas - burned combine cycle power plant and a thermodynamic solar energy system.The project is named Archimedes, after the famous resident of the nearby city of Syracuse. The existing gas-fired power plant on the site will be augmented by Archimedes, which should produce 5 megawatts of electricity, enough for 4,500 families [more information in pdf format [http://www.createacceptance.net/fileadmin/create-acceptance/user/docs/Demonstration_project_Italy.pdf] ] .
The mirrors are the core in the plant, the result of the partnership Enel-Enea. A field of large mirrors concentrate solare radiation on pipes containing an auxiliary fluid. The heat is used to raised the temperature of the fluid and keep it high, in order to take advantage of solar power at any time of the day or during any weather condition.
The plant will be operative in 2009.
Technical data
The plant's battery of the 360 parabolic mirrors will focus the sun's rays on pipes, through which runs a saline liquid that can store heat up to 550C and retain it for hours.
The addition of the solar plant to the power station should significantly reduce the amount of gas burnt at the plant and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 7,300 tonnes.
References
External links
* [http://slurl.com/secondlife/EnelPark4/128/128/0 The Archimede Project on EnelPark, the Thematic Park of sustainable development in Second Life]
* [http://www.enel.it/attivita/novita_eventi/archivio/priolo/archimede/ Archimede on Enel Website]
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