Quartzsite Area Could Host Hot Air Power Generation Plant

Many RVers are interested in “green” technology. How many have solar panels–even wind turbines–to reduce their own reliance on other not-so-green power? Recently the Quartzsite Town Council was asked by an Australian firm, EnviroMission, to support its plan exploring the building of a new experimental power plant north of town.

Experimental? It’s a rather fascinating possibility, all based on hot air.

In this case, the hot air isn’t just “pie-in-the-sky” thinking. EnviroMission has already built a pilot plant in Spain, and now wants to go full scale. It’s a rather simple idea, put to work on a rather large scale. Physics teaches us that hot air rises. Simply direct a large volume of hot air up a chimney, and put a power generating turbine in the chimney.

If you’ve ever driven the long stretch of US 95 north of town, heading toward Parker, you know there are huge tracts of open land, lying fallow. EnviroMission’s plan is to build two chimneys, 2,400 feet tall each, and surround them with a solar heat collection field nearly two miles in circumference. As the sun’s heat is gathered in the collector field, it would be redirected up the chimney, driving the turbines. EnviroMission says they figure the project can deliver 200 megawatts of electricity at peak, all without producing pollution, carbon dioxide, or other greenhouse gases. Enough juice to provide power to all of LaPaz County.

It’s a heady thought. But what would the council do? While some have said there’s plenty of hot air coming out of town hall, apparently the politicians don’t fear the competition. The council endorses the idea. What will come of it, the future will show.

photo: EnviroMission, Ltd.