Why is the Australian government ignoring solar ponds?

Question

Apparently there is an experimental saline gradient pond, at Pyramid Salt. I have investegated this, there are 100s around the world used for generating electricity. The heat at the bottom of the pond is used to heat propane, which changes state at 70 degreses. I it is contained in a high perresure vesell, in this high pressure state it drives the blades of a turbine. Which could be of similar constuction to a turbo on an engine. This then drives an electrical anternator (a/c) or generator (d/c). also waste heat can be used to drive a distillation plant. The hot gas is then goes through a refridgeration system and returned to storage. No propane is used.

Answer 1

Hi. Probably because of it's low efficiency. "The energy obtained is in the form of low grade heat of 70 to 80 °C compared to a 20 °C ambient temperature, which has an upper Carnot-cycle extractable efficiency of 1-(273.15+20)/(273.15+80)=15%. By comparison a solar concentrator system with molten salt delivering high grade heat at 800 °C would be able to convert 73% of absorbed solar heat into useful work, and be forced to divest only 27% as waste heat to the cold temperature reservoir (ambient air.)"

Answer 2

I doubt the salt ponds would produce much electricity at all and it would be a waste of money. I think Australians need to accept that if we don't want to use fossil fuels then to produce enough electricity then we need to accept or at least look further into nuclear power.