More Power!

Okay, so I've been doing some thinking.

Kramer Junction is the largest solar power plant in the nation. Instead of inefficient solar panels, it uses reflectors to heat up synthetic oil which is then pumped to a closed water container, causing it to boil, and the steam pressure turns a turbine. The "waste" product is steam. The only down side is the resources and energy loss in transmission to where it's needed.

This got me thinking. We could use this technology in the city. Hear me out....

First, place the reflectors over any sunken highway, like the 10 in Santa Monica. Put the plant near the reflectors. Pump in Sea Water for boiling.

Okay, So, now, instead of sending the waste steam to the air, use it to pre-heat the incoming seawater, making steam production more efficient, AND condensing the waste steam into.... Distilled WATER!!!! At night, the plant continues to pump ocean water through the system to desalinate the reaction chambers. The pumps can be powered by battery reserves at the plants.

So, we get Power... lots of it, right where we need it; it can be plugged right into the existing grid. We partially eliminate a driving hazard during certain parts of the year: specifically morning and sunset sun glare on East-west roads. We gain a source of distilled water that can be used to bolster fresh water supplies.

I'm just not seeing a down side beyond the initial cost.