Seville's Solar Power Station

Here is another example of thoughtful, clever, aesthetically pleasing and sustainable design - functional and beautiful, Seville's Solar Power Station harnesses natural resources without damaging the planet.

Article: David Shukman, BBC News, 2May07
"...From a distance, as we rounded a bend and first caught sight of it, I couldn't believe the strange structure ahead of me was actually real. A concrete tower - 40 storeys high - stood bathed in intense white light, a totally bizarre image in the depths of the Andalusian countryside.

The tower looked like it was being hosed with giant sprays of water or was somehow being squirted with jets of pale gas. I had trouble working it out. In fact, as we found out when we got closer, the rays of sunlight reflected by a field of 600 huge mirrors are so intense they illuminate the water vapour and dust hanging in the air.

The effect is to give the whole place a glow - even an aura - and if you're concerned about climate change that may well be deserved..."

Full article here / A tour of the tower / How the solar tower works

More info and image source: Jorge, Inhabitat, 21May07