Iran to launch first solar chimney power plant

Aug 01 - BBC Monitoring Central Asia

The first power plant based on solar chimney technology is going to be launched in the northwest Iranian province of Zanjan, IRNA news agency reported on 31 July.

The project manager, Ja'far Ghazanfariyan, said that the idea and the initial plan of this power plant had emerged three years before in Zanjan University. The purpose of this project is to convert solar radiation energy to thermal energy and produce power afterwards, IRNA quoted him as saying.

Ghazanfariyan said that power produced by this plant would be considered renewable energy which has low maintenance cost and is environmentally friendly, IRNA said.

"Zanjan is one of those cities in Iran which have maximum solar energy radiation, and based on the feasibility study carried out in Iran's cities, Zanjan and Abadan are suitable places for building solar chimney power plants," IRNA quoted Ghazanfariyan as saying.

"In addition to the money spent so far on the project, more funds are needed in order to improve the project and make necessary changes," Ghazanfariyan said.

He said providing part of the province's electricity requirements was the final purpose of the project, IRNA reported.

Originally published by Islamic Republic News Agency, Tehran, in Persian 0703 31 Jul 12.