The Attraction of Solar Chimney Power Plants lies in their Simple Operation.
Solar chimney power plants operate using a combination of three physical processes each known for hundreds of years, namely the process that causes a draught in a chimney, a greenhouse to heat up and a windmill to turn. Depending on the air flow, a solar chimney power plant can convert up to 65% of the energy from incident solar radiation into heat, with a yearly average of about 45%.
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Like in a greenhouse, solar radiation passing through a flat, circular, open-edged glass roof, heats the air between it and the ground beneath. In the centre of the glass roof is a vertical chimney. Because hot air is lighter than cold air, a continuous flow of air rises up the chimney. Pressure turbines at the foot of the chimney transform this wind energy into mechanical energy, which is then in turn converted into electricity by generators. |
