Weekend Australian
Saturday 11/10/2008 Page: 6
WHEN the National Solar Energy Centre opened two years ago on a small corner of land that once formed part of BHP's steel works, it was an optimistic, if not especially well-funded venture into the exploration of innovative solar technologies. Two and a half years later, funding looks set to increase by a multiple of 10 or more, with the federal Government's budget commitment of $50 million commitment to set up an Australian Solar Institute, incorporating the National Solar Energy Centre and building on its research.
The research facility employs 16 people, mostly engineers and research scientists. It consists of a 26 metre-high tower, and the largest high-concentration solar array in the southern hemisphere. These 200 panels, made of mirrored glass on a steel frame, track the sun, and concentrate its power up to 1000 times its natural strength on to a reactor suspended from the tower. And this is where the magic happens, according to Wes Stein, manager at the National Solar Energy Centre.
"The heat causes a chemical reaction between the natural gas, water and a catalyst in the reactor. This reaction effectively traps the solar energy in the chemical bonds of the natural gas." The resulting gas, solar gas, has 26 per cent more energy than natural gas but with the advantages of the stability and transportability of natural gas. "Solar gas can be stored, tankered and shipped to markets around Australia but also exported to any of the countries that currently import energy," says Stein.
He cites collaborative work with Tokyo's Institute of Technology, the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and a growing relationship with the Chinese Academy of Sciences as examples of interest from overseas in the technology and in the product's potential.
To Stein, solar gas is a pragmatic solution in the search for transition fuels as Australia moves towards a greater mix of renewable energy sources. "Solar and gas are Australia's most abundant natural resources. In my 30 years in the industry I have seen the fossil and renewable industries bounce off each other often with more conflict than the willingness to work together." Solar gas, he suggests, makes use of existing gas infrastructure. "In terms of transition from the fossil fuel economy, it isn't about a sudden breakthrough overnight.
It is about scalability and the ability to integrate new sources of energy with existing electricity generation knowhow and reliable distribution. It isn't about taking risks and jeopardising supply." A demonstration array is currently under construction in Queensland. It will be completed in 2011.
The National Solar Energy Centre's research into solar gas is just a part of its research activities. solar thermal technology (allocated $50 million in the Rudd Government's budget) is also part of NSEC's plan. This uses a low concentration solar array to convert solar energy into heat to drive a turbine along the lines of traditional electricity generation but removing the need for fossil fuel. The centre is also researching the next generation photovoltaics (solar cells) with an emphasis on low cost and easy integration into the existing built environment.
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