Australian Solar Tower Project
EnviroMission's inspirational program to adapt innovative Solar Tower technology to Australian conditions and construct the world's first large-scale solar thermal power station is set to deliver a renewable energy solution that will also be a destination and extreme engineering icon.

The scale of the first 200MW power station will capture worldwide attention and attract significant added value through tourism and agribusiness.

A single 200MW Solar Tower power station will provide enough electricity to power around 200,000 households, similar to the number of homes in a city the size of Hobart (capital of Tasmania) or Geelong (major suburb of metropolitan Victoria, Australia).

The energy output will represent an annual saving of more than 900,000 tonnes of greenhouse CO2 gases from entering the environment, with an outstanding Life Cycle Analysis of 2.5 years.

EnviroMission is currently in the final feasibility phase of development which involves collaboration and project partnering to validate the economics of the project. The collaborative approach has also been central to harnessing critical technical expertise and resources to further progress the development of the technology in Australia.

The Technology
The sun's radiation is used to heat a large body of air under an expansive collector zone, which is then forced by the laws of physics (hot air rises) to move as a hot wind through large turbines to generate electricity. A Solar Tower power station will create the conditions to cause hot wind to flow continuously through 32 x 6.25MW pressure staged turbines to generate electricity.

Small Scale Pilot Plant
Solar Tower technology has been tested and proven with a successful small-scale pilot plant constructed in Manzanares Spain. The pilot project was the result of collaboration between the Spanish Government and the German designers, Schlaich Bergermann and Partner.

The plant operated for seven years between 1982 and 1989, and consistently generated 50kW output of green energy.

The pilot plant conclusively proved the concept works and provided data for design modifications to achieve greater commercial and economic benefits associated with an increased scale of economy.

The Designer
Solar Chimney technology as it was proposed was designed by leading civil and light weight structural engineer, Professor Jorg Schlaich, a founding partner of the acclaimed Stuttgart based structural engineering firm Schlaich Bergermann and Partner.

Schlaich Bergermann and Partner are renowned for designing and engineering a range of structures, including major buildings, large span bridges, stadiums and previously unimagined styles of roofs. Their groundbreaking designs maintain a balance between aesthetics and function and have become an international benchmark for structural design standards.

Some projects of significance are:

 • Munich Olympics Stadium
 • Ting Kau Bridge in Hong Kong
 • Montreal Olympic Stadium

Why Australia?
Australia is a superior location for a Solar Tower power station development. Australia boasts vast areas of high solar radiation levels, geological stability and low land costs with many suitable terrains to successfully operate a Solar Tower power station.

A range of suitable sites have been identified within close proximity to Australia's national electricity grid for commercially viable transmission of a Solar Tower's clean green power - EnviroMission has already exercised its option to purchase its preferred site for the world's first Solar Tower power station at Buronga, in the Wentworth Shire of New South Wales.

Australia's leading construction and operating standards will ensure the project meets the highest engineering standards which is an important consideration for future export of the technology.

The Australian community is environmentally aware and wants projects that will address concerns about the ongoing damage to the environment. Government support and incentives for renewable energy is increasing through positive review and legislation.