Solar takes off with US power supply deal

http://abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/02/2048420.htm?section=world

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Assumptions overturned

The coal and nuclear industries have long asserted that baseload power cannot be supplied by renewable energy. That mantra is oft repeated by Australian politicians like federal Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

"You cannot run a modern economy on wind farms and solar powers. It's a pity that you can't, but you can't," he said.

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But baseload power supply is just what Ausra is now being contracted to supply for the insatiable US market. It says that within two years it will be able to economically store its hot water for more than 16 hours.

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l"There's been a lot of nonsense talked about, in Australia and elsewhere, about renewable energy allegedly not being able to provide baseload power, not being able to substitute for coal," he said.

"That's never been true. It's even untrue with regard to wind power, and now with solar thermal power, it's certainly untrue."

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