Does the quoted cost of 8,0€cent/kilowatthour for Prof. Schlaich’s Updraft Tower in 2008 contradict the GreenTower price of 1,5€c/kWh?
By no means, since the Updaft Tower’s efficiency is much smaller due to a smaller flue height of 750 m to 1 000 m (see Q.1), only half of the present GreenTower efficiency, the lack of greenhouse revenues (more than double of power revenues) and the lack of CO2 certificate revenues, the latter presently fetching €540 million or 98% return on capital at €30/ton CO2. These high revenues ensure the shortest pay back period and lowest finance cost. Hence 80% of the GT’s 1,5€c/kWh can be seen as pure profit.
