China Operates 1st Ever Tower Solar Thermal Power Station

The first tower-type solar thermal power station in Asia has been built in northwest Beijing, chief of the program said on Monday. Wang Zhifeng, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said the station is operating in stable condition, using a steam turbine generator to generate electricity.

“The solar-thermal power station will transform solar energy into heat energy to generate electricity,” said Wang, adding that the six-year program has helped to promote Chinese solar-thermal power generation technology.

A tower-type solar thermal power station is a design which utilizes a number of mirrors directing a concentrated beam of sunlight towards one collecting tower.

Ma Guangcheng, manager of the power station, said the station will reduce annual emissions of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide by 2,336 tons and 17.5 tons, respectively compared with traditional thermal power stations.