CSIRO Newcastle solar breakthrough for supercritical steam

The CSIRO is describing research at its Newcastle energy centre as a game-changer for the renewable energy industry.

Researchers have used solar energy to generate hot and pressurised ‘supercritical’ steam at the highest temperatures ever achieved outside of fossil sources.

Supercritical solar steam is water pressurised at enormous force and heated using solar radiation.

Around 90 per cent of Australia’s electricity is generated using fossil fuel, but only a small number of power stations are based on the more advanced supercritical steam.

The world record set at the CSIRO’s Energy Centre in Newcastle this month, was at a pressure of 23.5 megapascals and temperatures up to 570 degrees Celsius.

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