4 ms·
> (which is just a standard thermal power-plant: usually a steam engine) CMIIW, but aren't "standard thermal power-plants" (especially those involving steam) u
by MauranKilom 6y ago
> (which is just a standard thermal power-plant: usually a steam engine)
CMIIW, but aren't "standard thermal power-plants" (especially those involving steam) usually reliant on a steady supply of (cold) water? That would seem like a major dealbreaker in a desert...
- dragontamer 6y agoYes and no. Yes: you need to cool the water down to increase the efficiency of a steam engine / traditional thermal power plant. For many plants, this is a supply of fresh water. No: A desert environment is obviously hostile to fresh water (like a stream). As such, "cooling the water" is solved through other means. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivanpah_Solar_Power_Facility https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivanpah_Solar_Power_Facility In the case of Ivanpah Solar Power (the first Thermal Solar Plant that popped up in my search), they air-cool the water in a closed system. It won't get as cold as stream-water, but it still gets cold-enough that they can recycle / extract energy out of the steam engine system they use.