Sunny outlook for a new energy source

THERE are much saner alternatives to nuclear power, including a simple, mature technology that can deliver huge amounts of clean energy without any of the headaches of nuclear power.

It is called Concentrating Solar Power (CSP), the technique of concentrating sunlight using mirrors to create heat, and then using the heat to raise steam and drive turbines and generators, just like a conventional power station.

It is possible to store solar heat in melted salts so that electricity generation may continue through the night or on cloudy days.