Yuuuge CSP in Dubai

[SageBrush]

http://gizmodo.com/dubai-is-building-the-worlds-largest-concentrated-solar-1780781150

They are starting with 1 GW, with options to reach 5 GW.

8 cents a kWh overall, and due to the CSP some night availability too.

Grid mixtures of CSP, PV and wind make for a really potent clean energy set-up.

 

[SageBrush]

I doubt there is much argument over the idea that the gulf states are not into CSP for the environment but rather the money, so the arithmetic is interesting: It comes down to them wanting to sell the oil rather than burn it locally for electricity

A gallon of oil (at $60 a barrell) is worth about $1.5 and can be combusted in an electricity plant to make about 11 kWh. That works out to be about 14 cents a kWh generation cost from oil.

 

[deonb]

I doubt there is much argument over the idea that the gulf states are not into CSP for the environment but rather the money

No, Dubai has specific environmental goals. They are trying to become the city with the smallest carbon footprint in the world.

They already earmarked $40b in government funding for that:
Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 launched


The U.S. is pretty alone in the world with its resistance against clean energy...

 

[TheTalkingMule]

2050? The oil countries of the Middle East have been all talk on renewables as far as I can see. Until they actually produce a few gWh I'm not buying it.

Pretty interesting that they would go with a massive concentrated solar project rather than PV. Doesn't need a near term completion date. Doesn't help drive down the global cost of solar PV.