Letter to the Editor: Advantages of CLFR

                We appreciate AltEnergyStocks.com ’s coverage of the CSP industry with its recent article, The Future Shape of CSP .  Unfortunately, the article fails to recognize that compact linear Fresnel reflector (CLFR) companies like Ausra are making tremendous progress in advancing the technology and creating new and diverse market segments for CSP.                   CLFR is already on a path to being commercially demonstrated in the U.S., as well as in Australia and Southern Europe.  In fact, Ausra recently commissioned the first major solar thermal power plant to be built in California in nearly two decades and developed and brought online the world’s first solar/coal-fired power augmentation facility in Australia�both CLFR installations are running now and performing as modeled.                   One of the key benefits of CLFR technology is the diversity of its applications.  Contrary to what the article’s anonymous “industry observer” asserts, Ausra serves more than just the process steam market.  Our solar thermal energy systems are also ideally suited for power augmentation and standalone power generation, as demonstrated at our two CLFR installations.                    CLFR will continue to play a major role in helping advance the CSP market.  The following are just a few of the benefit’s of Ausra’s next-generation CLFR solar thermal energy systems:   ·          Simple, robust design for low-cost and durability ·          Most land-efficient solar technology (highest energy density) ·          Standard, common materials:  carbon steel pipe and structural components, flat  glass ·          Direct steam generation (150°C/300°F to 400°C/750°F) without heat transfer fluids, such as synthetic oils, thereby reducing expense and environmental risks ·          Rapid deployment and modular installation: high-volume, automated production (6-to-18 month field installation); regional and on-site manufacturing ·          Durable structure: 2-inch carbon steel pipe; horizontal mount solid piping; no moving joints; steel-backed reflectors rotate downward to protect the mirrored surface ·          Flexible steam generator flow: once-through or recirculating ·          Highly-automated computer controlled tracking         In addition to the technical benefits of our CLFR systems, we continue to enjoy strong financial support from our investors, particularly through our most recent $25.5 million equity financing facility. We look forward to continuing our dialogue with AltEnergyStocks.com about our CLFR technology as we expand and accelerate our solar thermal energy equipment supply business. William M. Conlon, P.E., Ph.D. Vice President, Engineering Ausra, Inc.