Solar Energy Breakthrough by Heliogen

The heat generates from a mirror field has enough energy to power high power processes such as the creation of cement, steel, and glass that usually relies on the use of fossil fuels.

This accomplishment is made possible through artificial intelligence, specifically computer software that is able to position the mirror panels in such a way to intensively concentrate the sunlight.

Heligon, the company that created the technology, states that the focused beams of light can create a solar oven that reaches 1,000 degrees Celsius (1,832 degrees Fahrenheit) something that has never before been achieved in a commercial setting.

CEO and founder of Heliogen Bill Goss comments:

“The world has a limited window to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions,”

Adding,

“We’ve made great strides in deploying clean energy in our electricity system. But electricity accounts for less than a quarter of global energy demand.”

“Heliogen represents a technological leap forward in addressing the other 75 percent of energy demand: the use of fossil fuels for industrial processes and transportation. With low-cost, ultra-high temperature process heat, we have an opportunity to make meaningful contributions to solving the climate crisis.”

Although solar energy is far from a new ides Heliogen has been able to reach temperatures double of what is currently possible. In the future, the company plans to be able to generate temperatures of up to 1,500 degrees Celsius (2,732 degrees Fahrenheit).

The heat-generating fossil fuel processes currently account for 10% of global CO2 emissions, with the system for Heliogen it would be able to make a noticeable dent in the amount of carbon dioxide pumped into the atmosphere.

This is a long term goal as the technology created needs more investment and time to roll out on a mass scale. Storage of the green energy also needs to be addressed for locations where sunshine is not abundant.

“[Heliogen’s] capacity to achieve the high temperatures required for these processes is a promising development in the quest to one day replace fossil fuel,” says Bill Gates, the ex-Microsoft boss who is one of the early backers of the solar startup.

“If we’re going to get to zero carbon emissions overall, we have a lot of inventing to do.”

Image source by 9to5Mac