Mitsubishi Heavy Industries plans to make the waterless solar thermal power system commercial

Water resources seem to be drying up in several countries, and loss of flowing water not just results in draught-like conditions, it also means lack of hydro electricity. But now there is an solution that these countries can use courtesy Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. By 2015, the company will begin commercializing the world’s first solar thermal power generation system that generates electricity without water. This system can generate electricity in deserts too and can cut power production costs by 20 to 30% for conventional systems.

Unlike the old system, this new system uses a relatively simpler structure, and generates power using spin turbines by heating compressed air with solar thermal energy. The Company also has plans to work in close association with an Australian research institution to develop the system. The first demonstration of the working project will be made available by 2013.
[Japan Today]