Australian scientists from CSIRO, Australia`s national science agency have designed and installed a solar field in Cyprus which places Cypriots at the frontier of solar energy research in Europe, a press release by the Australian High Commission says.
According to the press release, as most of the island`s electricity is currently generated using oil, harnessing the sun`s energy through solar thermal technology is an attractive option for Cyprus and it could also power energy intensive desalination plants used to tackle perennial water shortages.
“This project was a big step for CSIRO as it`s the first time we`ve deployed this cutting edge technology outside of our own backyard,” CSIRO solar research leader Wes Stein said. He added that this is the beginning of an “exciting collaborative research program“ as CSIRO has signed an MoU to undertake joint solar research with The Cyprus Institute.
“Our high-performance heliostats have a unique design that is well suited to the rugged terrain on Cyprus` south coast, allowing them to operate very efficiently”, Stein said.
The heliostats are smaller than the conventional ones, which gives the user more control over the intensity of the solar concentration. They also feature a low cost design which allows them to be installed more affordably, according to the press release.
Professor Costas Papanicolas, President of the Cyprus Institute said solar thermal technology had enormous potential for sun-rich countries such as Cyprus.
“Like Australia, Cyprus is blessed with an abundance of sunshine, so increasing the penetration of solar energy is an attractive option both in terms of energy affordability and lowering greenhouse gas emissions,” Professor Papanicolas said.
Consisting of 50 heliostats, the heat generated by the field could bring a two litre kettle to the boil in less than five seconds.
The experimental facility will be initially used for demonstration purposes by the Cyprus Institute, with a view to longer-term commercial use of the technology in Mediterranean islands and the Middle East.
Solar-thermal tower technology uses many mirrors (heliostats) that accurately track the sun, reflecting light towards a receiver on top of a tower and heating a fluid.
The hot fluid is subsequently used to drive a turbine for generating electricity and, in the Cyprus Institute research, powering simultaneously a sea-water desalination plant. Thermal energy can also be stored relatively cheaply compared to other technologies, improving potential for large scale power generation regardless of when the sun is shining.
CSIRO`s Energy Centre in Newcastle is the home of Australia`s low emission and renewable energy research, featuring two solar tower pilot facilities with more than 600 heliostats.
CSIRO`s solar thermal team have set a number of records in the past 12 months, generating pressurised air at 880°C and supercritical steam in research projects.
To satisfy European legislation, 13 per cent of Cyprus` total energy consumption must be derived from renewable sources by 2020.
