Chile: A future without coal? | Global Ideas

Summary

The Atacama Desert in Chile, with the highest solar radiation on Earth, is home to South America's first solar thermal power plant, Cerro Dominador. Funded by Germany, the plant uses 10,000 mirrors to focus sunlight onto a tower, heating molten salts to generate electricity, capable of powering a medium-sized city. The innovative technology stores energy for up to 17 hours, addressing renewable energy's storage challenge. It has created jobs, promoted gender equality in the workforce, and offers hope for repurposing coal-fired plants. Chile aims for carbon neutrality by 2050, and this project serves as a model for global energy solutions.

Takeaways

• 🌞 The Atacama Desert in northern Chile has the highest level of solar radiation on the planet, making it an ideal location for solar thermal power.
• ⚡ Cerro Dominador is South America's first solar thermal power plant, utilizing 10,000 mirrors to reflect sunlight onto a 250-meter tower.
• 🔥 Molten salts in the absorber are heated from 190°C to over 565°C, transferring heat to a steam circuit that drives a turbine to generate electricity.
• 🌍 The plant can produce over 100 megawatts of electricity per day, enough to power a medium-sized city.
• ⏳ What sets Cerro Dominador apart is its ability to store energy for up to 17 hours, addressing a common issue with solar power's intermittent nature.
• 🎯 Chile plans to become carbon-neutral by 2050, and this solar thermal technology could replace coal-powered stations to provide continuous energy.
• 🏗️ The construction and operation of the solar plant has created jobs in the remote region, with a high proportion of female employees.
• 👩 Women working at Cerro Dominador emphasize that they are treated equally, a rarity in many Chilean workplaces.
• 🔄 The technology used in Cerro Dominador is being considered for converting coal-fueled power plants into thermal storage facilities, such as the Mageyones plant.
• 🌱 Repurposing coal plants would improve the environment while maintaining jobs for local communities, contributing to Chile's decarbonization goals.

Q & A

What makes the Atacama Desert an ideal location for solar energy production?

The Atacama Desert in northern Chile has the highest level of solar radiation on the planet, making it perfect for solar energy projects like the Cerro Dominador solar thermal power plant.

How does the Cerro Dominador solar thermal power plant generate electricity?

The plant uses 10,000 mirrors called heliostats to reflect sunlight onto a 250-meter-high tower. The sunlight heats molten salts in a receiver, which transfers the heat to a steam circuit that drives a turbine, generating electricity.

What is unique about Cerro Dominador's energy storage system compared to conventional solar systems?

Cerro Dominador uses a molten salt absorption tower that allows energy to be stored for up to 17 hours a day, unlike conventional solar systems that lack long-term storage capacity.

How much electricity can Cerro Dominador generate daily, and what scale of area can it power?

The Cerro Dominador plant can produce over 100 megawatts of electricity per day, which is enough to power a medium-sized city.

Why is energy storage important for renewable energy systems?

Energy storage is crucial because renewable sources like solar and wind do not produce power continuously. Storage ensures a steady power supply, making renewable systems more reliable and capable of replacing coal-fired power plants.

How has the Cerro Dominador project impacted local employment in the Atacama region?

The construction and operation of Cerro Dominador have created job opportunities in a remote region that previously suffered from unemployment due to the closure of saltpeter mines. The project has provided stable employment for locals, including a high proportion of women.

What role do women play in the Cerro Dominador project?

A significant proportion of Cerro Dominador's employees are women, who report being treated equally in the workplace, which is uncommon in many other sectors in Chile.

How is the Cerro Dominador project contributing to Chile’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050?

By providing a renewable, reliable energy source with storage capacity, Cerro Dominador helps Chile transition away from coal-fired power plants, supporting the country's decarbonization plan to be carbon-neutral by 2050.

What is the plan for converting coal-fired power plants in Chile using solar thermal technology?

Chile plans to repurpose coal-fired power plants, like the Mageyones plant, by integrating solar energy from facilities like Cerro Dominador. The infrastructure, such as turbines and generators, can still be used to feed energy into the grid when needed.

How does the repurposing of coal-fired plants benefit both the local community and the environment?

Repurposing coal-fired plants allows locals to retain jobs while reducing environmental pollution, improving air and water quality, and supporting Chile's larger decarbonization efforts.