Chairman and chief scientific officer of Asura David Mills has recently submitted a study to the International Solar Energy Society stating that solar thermal plants can provide enough energy for the United States of America.

The plan is to use mirrors strategically placed in a Fresnel formation to boil liquid. The steam produced from this process will then be used to run turbines which will produce electricity. Mills noted that solar plants with 16 hours of storage energy can supply 92% of the U.S. with enough power at the same price of regular power plants.

This is well and good during the day, but what about at night or during dark cloudy days? The study also pointed out that advancements in modern technology has already developed liquids that will still retain heat and continuously produce steam. In addition, he pointed out that the power production is strongest during the day, when most people actually use more energy. The energy production during the night will be split up between the power plants stored energy and wind power.

While this sounds like a feasible plan, there are certain factors that have to be considered before it can be put into motion. Among them would be an overhaul of the method electricity is being transmitted. The current AC grid being used has transmission losses hitting as high as 50%. If it were to be switched to High Voltage DC, this number drops to a surprising 3%.

Mills' company is already planning to develop a 175 megawatt plant by 2009. If this takes off, perhaps the U.S. Government will consider taking this route to provide the country with a renewable source of energy.