Will you see power plant from Quartzsite?
Posted January 29th 2010 by Russ and Tiña De MarisLast fall we posted an item about a power plant proposal that could pop-up near Quartzsite.nWhile the plant would be constructed on land nearly 10 miles north of the RV snowbird capital, a local paper says, ‘watch out!’ If the terms of the plant are fulfilled, you’ll probably be able to see at least a portion of it from your RV, even when parked in Quartzsite.
As we reported, the developer, EnviroMission, 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.
Taking the figures for the height of the chimneys into account, and adding that these stacks would be 1000 feet higher than the Empire State Building, the Parker Pioneer has published an artist’s conception of what the new plant might look like. We reproduce it here for your consideration.
Quartzsite town fathers are readily in favor of the proposed plant, and it would appear to be environmentally friendly, and “desert wise,” as unlike other solar power plants, would not utilize water for generating steam. For a fuller description of the project, check back on our earlier post, “Quartzsite area could host hot air project.”
There are pros and cons aplenty floating about in the community view. If nothing else, the project–if realized–would certainly be one more thing for winter visitors to take a look at. Even if they didn’t have to leave town to do it.
photo courtesy parkerliveonline.com
February 6th, 2010 at 8:20 am
That is a remote area. It should add a bright idea to thr area and generate needed electricity for that area. You can’t see the stacks if you don’t look
that way.
February 6th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
Kudos to the designers of these towers. They won’t be intrusive to the landscape or the view of the area. Those of us who live here in Quartzsite full-time appreciate the thoughtfulness that went into the designing and planning of these towers, and we will get the benefit of the extra power they will generate. Great work, guys!
February 6th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
I have wondered where does the power com from after dark?
February 6th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
How to they plan con keeping the reflectors clean from the desert sand and dust? How do I get the cleaning contract?
February 8th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
You don’t say how close transmission lines are to the proposed plant. New transmission towers marching across the desert (and the new roads to build and maintain them) are the real blight – not the plant itself.
February 15th, 2010 at 6:13 pm
Covering a third of a square mile of desert with mirrors is supposed to be “environmentally friendly” ? A tower nearly a half mile tall is “desert friendly” ?
That’s a big impact with not all that much energy production (100 kw or so in full daylight only?).
May 19th, 2010 at 3:56 am
You don’t say how close transmission lines are to the proposed plant. New transmission towers marching across the desert (and the new roads to build and maintain them) are the real blight – not the plant itself.
June 14th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
You don’t say how close transmission lines are to the proposed plant. New transmission towers marching across the desert (and the new roads to build and maintain them) are the real blight – not the plant itself.