Solar Bright Spot

With many of California oil fields in decline, they are requiring steam to extract the last parts of oil out of the rock.

Interestingly, solar thermal is turning out to be a very cost effective way to make that steam.  In fact, steam produced by plants built by BrightSource Energy are making the steam 25% cheaper than a new natural gas fired generator.  That is saying something because natural gas is at a 20 year low in price.

BrightSource makes steam by pointing a field of mirrors up at the top of a 300 ft tower.  There, the heat from the mirrors instantly converts water to steam.  The steam is then injected into the reservoir to improve the viscosity of the oil so it can be coaxed from the rocks.

This is a win for everyone.