A Chinese power company is pioneering a world-first technology by combining two thermal towers to enhance efficiency.
China Media Group (CMG) has released a video showcasing the impressive scope of this project. The initiative is being carried out in Guazhou County, Gansu Province, China. The two towers stand 200 meters tall (equivalent to nearly 60 stories) and feature nearly 30,000 mirrors installed on the ground. These mirrors form various concentric circles that concentrate sunlight onto the two towers.
Similar to traditional coal power plants, concentrated sunlight heats water to generate electricity. However, unlike other thermal power plants, this design can produce electricity at night. Molten salt stored within the towers acts as a thermal battery, retaining excess heat collected during the day and releasing it to keep the generators running continuously.
The mirrors are made from a special material with a reflection efficiency of up to 94%.
China began its foray into solar thermal energy in 2016. However, this new project marks a significant advancement with its dual-tower design. Project director Wen Jianghong explained: “The mirrors in the surrounding area can focus on either tower. This structure is expected to increase efficiency by 24 percent.”
The CMG video demonstrates the remarkable ability of the mirrors to track the movement of the sun. In the morning, they concentrate sunlight on the eastern tower and automatically adjust to the west in the afternoon.
According to CMG reports, the improved design is not limited to just two towers. It has the potential to focus on multiple towers to achieve even higher efficiency. The plant is expected to be operational by the end of 2024.
This facility is part of a clean energy complex that includes solar, thermal, and wind power plants working together to generate over 1.8 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually while saving 1.53 million tons of carbon emissions.
