RAK’s solar islands could power emirate

[JCMach1]

Source: The National

RAS AL KHAIMAH // A series of floating, rotating solar islands off the coast of RAK could be the solution to the emirate’s energy woes.

Heat generated from the solar panels creates steam in an underwater tank, piped to a turbine on shore.

A prototype is in the testing phase and statistical results are expected in two years, with real-world applications coming afterwards.

A small solar island with a diameter of 88 metres, like the prototype being tested in the RAK desert, can produce up to 1 megawatt (MW) of thermal power and would be able to cool or heat a small mall. Larger islands between 500m to 5km in diameter can produce between a tenth of a MW to several gigawatts (GW) of thermal power.

Read more: http://thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100913/NATIONAL/709129900/1001

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This is just cool!

[tabatha]

1. what is the effect on sea creatures ?

[rug]

2. The lobsters are concerned.

[tomm2thumbs]

3. indeed

:rofl:

[JCMach1]

4. In world of global warming, shade is at a premium!

[EXneoCON]

5. RAK Lobstah!!!

Down, down.......

[Regret My New Name]

6. I'm more concerned about them sucking up all the sunlight....