Environment And Social Impacts
Concentrating Solar Power is a low carbon technology.
Greenhouse gas emissions from CSP are low.
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CSP emits fewer GHGs over its lifecycle than Solar Photovoltaic (PV)
and Wind.
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CSP makes much more intense use of materials than other technologies. However,
the main materials used are commonplace commodities such as steel, glass and
cocrete, for which recycling rates are high.
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Few toxic substances are used in CSP plants. The synthetic organic heat transfer fluids
used in parabolic troughs present the greatest risks. They can catch fire and contaminate
soils. One goal of research is to replace toxic heat transfer fluids with water or molten salts.
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Visual impact should be limited if CSP plants are to be built in arid, uninhabited areas.
CSP’s ability to incorporate energy storage is an important advantage over
other renewables. Like fossil steam generation plants, CSP benefits from a
level of inertia that can support grid stability.
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