The world scene:
Solar ponds are technically proven, with at least 60 systems having been constructed around the world to date. These solar pond projects have the potential to provide low-grade heat in industries such as the following:
- Salt production (for enhanced evaporation or purification of salt, that is the production of “vacuum quality” salt).
- Aquaculture, using saline or fresh water (to grow, for example, fish or brine shrimp).
- Dairy industry (for example, to preheat feed water to boilers).
- Fruit and vegetable drying (for example, vine fruit drying).
- Grain industry (for grain drying).
- Water supply (for desalination).
Solar ponds are currently used in Europe, the USA, the Middle East and Australia. In some countries, huge salt lakes and even inland seas have the right balance of area, salt and depth to make the generation of electricity possible. The Dead Sea, in Israel, is said to be ideal for the purpose. Israeli engineers have been experimenting with generating plants since the 1950s.
The Dead Sea in Israel is said to be ideal for the purpose - go to:
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Sea
 Google Earth - Dead Sea
The increasing development of solar pond projects in Israel would significantly reduce the country’s reliance on oil imports. Israel lacks oil and coal resources and is heavily dependent on oil imports for the generation of electricity. A 5MW system operates at
Bet Ha-Arava, Israel along with several demonstration projects in the USA.
Learn more about the El Paso Solar Pond in Texas by going to:
www.solarpond.utep.edu
In Australia, experimental solar ponds have been constructed at Aspendale, Victoria (in 1964), Parkville, Victoria (1981), Laverton, on the outskirts of Melbourne (1982), Alice Springs (1983), Hattah, South Australia (1984), and RMIT in Melbourne (1989). A demonstration solar pond heating system also has been constructed at Pyramid Salt’s facility at Pyramid Hill in north-central Victoria. The system is providing heat for use in high-grade salt production and aquaculture.
For more information about Pyramid Salt, go to:
http://www.pyramidsalt.com.au/company.html
 Next Section >> Ocean 'gradient' energy.
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