Cloncurry Solar Project Update  

The ABC has an update on Lloyd Energy Systems' solar power project for Cloncurry (using graphite for energy storage) - Energy firm sheds light on outback solar project.

An energy company planning a $30 million solar power station at Cloncurry, in north-west Queensland, says the town could become the first in the state to use solar energy for all of its power needs. Lloyd Energy Systems says new equipment will be used to produce and store the energy for future use.

Chief executive Steve Hollis says work is expected to begin on the plant early next year. "Problem that exists with solar energy is that it's relatively expensive to produce, but it doesn't have a lot of value because it's only there when the sun's shining," he said. "So the technology that we have where the energy is captured so that electricity can be generated on demand helps to bridge the gap."

Mr Hollis says revolutionary equipment will be used to store the energy so it can be used even when the sun is not shining. "We've signed agreements now to commence the project. So we've just been out having discussing with council over the arrangements of the project, land and other details that we need to go through prior to the project commencing," he said.