Cost reduction in concentrated solar power plants by implementing supercritical cycles of carbon dioxide

One of Abengoa’s main objectives is to increase the competitiveness of renewable energies, especially of concentrated solar thermal technology. The Scarabeus project, funded by the European Commission, seeks to achieve this goal by introducing novel supercritical CO2 cycles in solar thermal plants. Today, efficiency values have already been reached in solar thermal plants that are …

Hydrophilic disc uses concentrated solar power to separate salt from water

Current approaches to water desalination are tremendously expensive and energy-intensive, so the search is very much on for new technologies that can get the job done more efficiently. Scientists in Melbourne have put forward one rather promising solution, developing a new kind of system that heats up and purifies water using only the power of …

World Bank guarantees operation of South Africa’s KaXu Solar One Concentrated Solar Power plant

The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), part of the World Bank Group, has issued guarantees to Atlantica Yield PLC to cover the ownership and operation of the 100-MW KaXu Solar One concentrated solar power (CSP) park in South Africa. The guarantees are worth USD 98.6 million (EUR 88.5m) and are issued against the risks of …

First Concentrated Solar Power plant in Chile and Latin America has 80% progress

The concentrating solar thermal power plant is spread over 700 hectares and can already be appreciated from the air when the region overflies. Cerro Dominador Concentrated Solar Power project, in María Elena, already has 7,000 heliostats that point to a tower where electricity is generated. This initiative will be one of the highlights at the …

One-million LTI-free hours at Shams 1 concentrated solar power plant in Abu Dhabi

Shams Power Company, a special purpose vehicle 80% owned by Masdar and 20% owned by Total, has reached one million man-hours without lost-time injuries (LTI) from the operations of its concentrated solar power (CSP) project in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi. The Shams CSP plant began operations in 2013 and is touted as …

Middle East and North Africa’s Concentrated Solar Power Knowledge and Innovation Program

Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technology with heat storage can now cost-effectively provide 24-hour dispatchable renewable energy in countries with a lot of sunshine. Yet a lack of familiarity with the technology meant that many countries in the Middle East and North Africa were not adopting it. How we helped Castalia is co-leading a program to …

Oman’s OPWP plans 1,200 MW Concentrated Solar Power project

Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP) is considering the establishment of the sultanate’s first solar thermal project, a concentrated solar power (CSP) plant in Duqm that will be built if an existing proposal for a clean coal independent power producer (IPP) project in the area does not receive government approval before end-2019. The CSP …

Morocco follows lowest ever Concentrated Solar Power price with fresh tender

Morocco has launched a tender for the 230 MW Noor Midelt II CSP-PV plant in central Morocco, following the recent allocation of the 800 MW Noor Midelt I project to an EDF-led consortium at a record-low price of 68 dirhams/MWh ($71/MWh). Developers will have until September 16 to prequalify for the Noor Midelt II tender, …

Concentrated Solar Power tech leaps set to cut reflector losses, water costs

European researchers are preparing to install automated dry-cleaning and sensor technology at operational Concentrated Solar Power plants that will cut water usage, labor costs and stabilize reflectance levels. New technologies that reduce water consumption are set to cut costs and limit the environmental impact of CSP plants in the coming years. Europe’s 12.6 million-euro SOLWARIS …