Solar power station
works at night

A unique thermosolar power station in southern Spain can shrug off cloudy days: energy stored when the sun shines lets it produce electricity even during the night.

The Gemasolar station, up and running since last May, stands out in the plains of Andalusia.

"It is the first station in the world that works 24 hours a day, a solar power station that works day and night!" said Santago Arias, technical director of Torresol Energy, which runs the station.

The mechanism is "very easy to explain," he said: the panels reflect the suns rays on to the tower, transmitting energy at an intensity 1,000 times higher than that of the sun's rays reaching the earth.

Energy is stored in a vat filled with molten salts at a temperature of more than 500 degrees C (930 F). Those salts are used to produce steam to turn the turbines and produce electricity.

It is the station's capacity to store energy that makes Gemasolar so different because it allows the plant to transmit power during the night, relying on energy it has accumulated during the day.

As a result, the plant produces 60 percent more energy than a station without storage capacity because it can work 6,400 hours a year compared to 1,200-2,000 hours for other solar power stations, he said.

"This type of station is expensive, not because of the raw material we use, which is free solar energy, but because of the enormous investment these plants require," Arias said.

The investment cost exceeds 200 million euros ($260 million).*AFP

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Summer workshop for
kids starts April 9

A four-in-one summer workshop will be conducted in Bacolod City from April 9 to May 6 by the CGI Excel Events, a press release from organizers said.

The activity will combine the “Kids ‘N More”, a kids and teens show aired over Island Living Channel, and the Sikat Academy curriculum in singing, dancing, acting, newscasting and hosting, the press release added.

Classes in speech and personality development will also be held, with a Hollywood-style finale May 6 at Robinsons Place Bacolod fountain area, the press release said.

The workshop was launched last year with 160 students participating. Enrollment is ongoing at Robinsons Place Bacolod. Those interested may text/call 0932-5387591 or 0906-2668869, the press release added.*

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Blessing for
2 bldgs in Silay set

The Kabataang Silay Rondalla House and the Silay Senior Citizens Pavilion in Calle Generoso Gamboa, Silay City, will be blessed and inaugurated, 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, a press release from the City said.

Mayor Jose Montelibano, Vice Mayor Mark Golez, Councilors Ireneo Celis and Uldarico Penuela, and Marissa Montelibano, president of Hugyaw Silay Inc., will cut the ribbon, while Silay parish priest Abenir Pineda will bless the edifice, it added.

Members of the rondalla ensemble will have a new rehearsal hall for their participation in the Singapore International Music Festival in 2013; and the 8,000 registered senior citizens of Silay now have a building and a lawn to converge in, the press release said.

It added that tourism officer Ver Pacete said the buildings can be used for cultural-related activities of the city and a parlor for senior citizens to listen to fine music and do ballroom dancing.

The inauguration will feature performances of the Kansilay festival dancers; a cultural number from the Dona Montserrat Lopez Memorial High School, special program in the arts, “handog himig ng senior citizens”, and a 45-minute rendition from the Rondalla, the press release added.*

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SFC looking for members

The Singles for Christ Bacolod is conducting a Christian life program in three venues scheduled this month, a press release from the group said.

Singles who want to be part of the CFC can attend the activity Wednesday nights at the Redemptorist Church, St. Mary Monastery Hall, at B.S. Aquino Drive, every 5:30 p.m., the Saturday night group at St. Isidore Parish in Barangay Tangub, 5:30 pm; or Sunday mornings at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish kindergarten school in Barangay Bata, 9 a.m., the press release added.

This is open to singles age 21 to 35 years old. Those interested may contact Elnor Barello at 0921-440474, or Kathy Nolido at 0922-8956383, the press release also said.*

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