Our Technology
Ausra's zero-pollution solar thermal energy system produces steam directly from the sun. It is simple, durable, and scalable. The company's core technology, the Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector (CLFR) solar collector and steam generation system, uses modular flat reflectors to focus the sun's heat onto elevated receivers, which consist of a system of tubes through which water flows. The concentrated sunlight boils the water in the tubes, generating high-pressure steam for direct use in power generation and industrial steam applications without the need for costly heat exchangers. The CLFR produces zero pollution during operation. Because its fuel source—the sun—is free and abundant, Ausra's CLFR solar thermal energy systems serve as a domestic hedge against volatile fuel price fluctuations.
Ausra's solar thermal systems use readily available, low-cost, durable materials and high-volume manufacturing for rapid deployment. This translates into lower system costs and minimal supply chain bottlenecks during construction. We are the first solar steam power boiler manufacturer to receive the American Society of Mechanical Engineer’s (ASME) “S” Stamp Certificate of Authorization. An ASME “S” Stamp is considered the industry hallmark of acceptance and certification. It is recognized in more than 100 countries as a means of meeting government safety regulations.
Our solar thermal system provides real value for our customers—from avoided carbon costs to the generation of emission reduction credits. Adding steam from the sun provides more carbon-free power at peak times. CLFR is the most land-efficient solar technology in operation, generating 1.5-to-3 times more power per acre of land than competing solar technologies. This high energy density translates into lower costs, a smaller environmental footprint and greater access to existing power plant and industrial sites.
Ausra's solar thermal system has very low environmental risks from leaks or spills because it uses water as the working fluid as opposed to large quantities of circulated oil as used in the majority of trough technologies. No toxic materials like cadmium or synthetic oils are used in the collector panels, as they are in some photovoltaic technologies. Animals can pass beneath the reflectors and birds can fly through the reflected beam uninjured.
With further technological advances and upcoming carbon market scenarios, Ausra will be cost-competitive with a wider range of fossil-fired energy resources.
