Australia’s chance for a new “mining” boom – mining the sun

Think outside the nuclear square: expert, 9 News 3 Nov 15
Would it be crazy for Australia to mine the sun for energy instead of going nuclear? A leading energy researcher says things that sound crazy now might be better investments in the nation’s energy future.

Professor Vassilios Agelidis, director of the Australian Energy Research Institute at the University of New South Wales, says Australia lacks the expertise to support a nuclear industry, meaning it would have to import everything except the uranium.

“Discussing nuclear as part of the mix is not even thinking outside the square, it’s thinking inside the square as far as I’m concerned because other countries have done it, so what’s innovative about that?” he said.

Australia could, for example, create a new solar-to-hydrogen export industry, Prof Agelidis said, if it had a strategic, visionary approach.

Building large-scale solar in the middle of the country and using the electricity generated and piped-in water to create hydrogen for fuel cells is one example of the potential for energy innovation.

“It’s like mining but like mining the sun,” Prof Agelidis said……..http://www.9news.com.au/national/2015/11/03/11/13/think-outside-the-nuclear-square-expert#lAlcLQ5rSwf804pk.99

November 4, 2015 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | General News

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