Abengoa has a total concentrated solarpower (CSP) installed capacity of 1,223 MW in operation, 430 MW under construction and 210 MW in the pre-construction phase distributed in across 27 Concentrated Solar Thermal Powerplants.
The most important factor that sets concentrating solar power (CSP) apart from other forms of renewable energy generation is its dispatchability, or the ability to adapt production to the demand.
Dispatchability is considered essential, and perhaps the most valuable, for electricity systems. Having the ability to adjust energy generation to the demand curve has the benefit of being able to sell electricity to the grid at peak generation hours, with a resulting increase in price, and the ability to compensate for the effects of intermittent sources.
Solar thermal power is dispatchable because it has great thermal inertia that prevents it from ceasing to generate unexpectedly, due to the use of a small percentage of natural gas and thermal storage. In keeping with this, Abengoa Solar is building Solana, a 280 MW plant located in Arizona (USA) that will include six hours of molten salt storage capability.
Another advantage of CSP is that it is able to be combined with conventional power plants to form hybrid plants. Hybridization lowers dependency on conventional fuel and cuts CO2 emissions from natural gas and coal-fueled generating plants.
Abengoa Solar also has extensive experience in designing, building, operating and maintaining hybrid solar-gas plants. In Algeria, the 150 MW Hass-R´Mel plant has been operating since 2011 using that technology.
Dispatchability is considered essential, and perhaps the most valuable, for electricity systems. Having the ability to adjust energy generation to the demand curve has the benefit of being able to sell electricity to the grid at peak generation hours, with a resulting increase in price, and the ability to compensate for the effects of intermittent sources.
Solar thermal power is dispatchable because it has great thermal inertia that prevents it from ceasing to generate unexpectedly, due to the use of a small percentage of natural gas and thermal storage. In keeping with this, Abengoa Solar is building Solana, a 280 MW plant located in Arizona (USA) that will include six hours of molten salt storage capability.
Another advantage of CSP is that it is able to be combined with conventional power plants to form hybrid plants. Hybridization lowers dependency on conventional fuel and cuts CO2 emissions from natural gas and coal-fueled generating plants.
Abengoa Solar also has extensive experience in designing, building, operating and maintaining hybrid solar-gas plants. In Algeria, the 150 MW Hass-R´Mel plant has been operating since 2011 using that technology.
Commercially proven technology
With the first commercial plants in the U.S., CSP technology has been in use for over 30 years. Plants have improved over time and significant technological developments have led to cost reduction and higher efficiency. CSP is neither an experimental technology nor one undergoing testing, but rather a commercial solution that can be adapted to a variety of geographic locations. Photovoltaic technology, in turn, with 60 GW in operation and commercial plants in place since the 1980s, is at a turning point in development, having succeeded in matching the cost of conventional electrical power generation sources in a number of regions.
Energy security
Diversification in the energy mix is one of the most important elements in energy policy. One of the most important benefits of solar energy is that it lowers the dependency on oil, gas and uranium of countries that do not have these resources available to them.
Solar energy increases the proportion of renewable energy in the energy mix and, in the case of CSP, enhances system reliability as the result of its dispatchability. Additionally, solar energy helps offset the volatility of fossil fuels.
Solar energy increases the proportion of renewable energy in the energy mix and, in the case of CSP, enhances system reliability as the result of its dispatchability. Additionally, solar energy helps offset the volatility of fossil fuels.
Local job creation
During the construction and subsequent operation and maintenance over the course of the useful life of solar power plants, between 4 and 5 temporary jobs will be created for each MW during project execution and between 1 and 2 permanent positions per MW during the operating period.
Depending on the number of projects, manufacturing supply chains may develop, in addition to the creation of R&D facilities in the surrounding area.
Depending on the number of projects, manufacturing supply chains may develop, in addition to the creation of R&D facilities in the surrounding area.
Abengoa Solar is a global company which designs, owns and operates solar power plants with proven and mature experience utilizing concentrating solar power and photovoltaic technology.
Currently, Abengoa Solar has 1223 MW in commercial operation, 430 MW under construction and more than 1 GW in development.
Currently, Abengoa Solar has 1223 MW in commercial operation, 430 MW under construction and more than 1 GW in development.
Abengoa Solar groups its CSP plants in Spain into solar complexes in order to achieve economies of scale during plant construction, and to make the most of the synergies in operation and maintenance.
Solucar Complex
The Solucar Complex is the largest solar complex in Europe. Located just outside of Sanlúcar la Mayor, Seville, this solar thermal and photovoltaic installation complex currently has 183 MW in operation. The Complex supplies clean electricity to approximately 94,000 households, while eliminating 114,000 tons of CO2 emissions each year.
This project covers over 2,471 acres (1,000 hectares) and will create 1,000 jobs during the manufacturing and construction phase. It will provide nearly 300 plant operation jobs and another 50 for research and development
Since construction began in 2004, this plant has been boosting local industry and services, and has been a catalyst for technological investment in the region. In addition, PS10, PS20, Solnova, Sevilla PV and Casaquemada PV have generated tourism in the region. Also, the Complex features a research and development site, where a variety of new technology demonstration plants are under construction.
The Ecija Solar Complex is composed of two 50 MW parabolic trough plants. Both plants are in commercial operation. The first plant, Helioenergy 1, went into operation in September 2011, and the second, Helioenergy 2, in January 2012.
The Ecija Solar Complex is composed of two 50 MW parabolic trough plants. Both plants are in commercial operation. The first plant, Helioenergy 1, went into operation in September 2011, and the second, Helioenergy 2, in January 2012.
The two plants have a total of 121, 000 mirrors installed in the solar field, that concentrate the sunlight to generate steam at temperatures around 400 degrees Celcius. The solar field is over 540 acres, the equilvant of 300 soccer fields.
Helioenergy 1 and Helioenergy 2 produce the equivalent of the needs of 26,000 households each, while at the same time reducing the use of natural resources and waste. Each plant will prevent 31,400 tons of CO2 emissions annually.
El Carpio Solar Complex is composed of two 50 MW parabolic trough plants.
Both plants, Solacor 1 and Solacor 2, began commercial operation in 2012. El Carpio Solar Complex is composed of two 50 MW parabolic trough plants. Both plants began commercial operation in 2012.
Abengoa Solar and the JGC Corporation formed an alliance in 2010 to build the two plants. Abengoa Solar, with a 74% stake, will operate both plants.
The production of each plant is equivalent to the energy consumption of 26,000 households, while at the same time reducing the use of natural resources and waste. Each plant will prevent 31,400 tons of CO2 emissions annually.
Additionally, 700 direct and indirect jobs will be created during the construction of the Complex, in addition to the 85-90 permanent plant operation positions, creating a positive economic impact on the region.
The Castilla-La Mancha Solar Complex is composed of two 50 MW parabolic trough plants. Both plants, Helios 1 and Helios 2, went into commercial operation during the summer of 2012.
The Extremadura Solar Complex is made up of four 50-MW parabolic trough plants. Two of these plants, Solaben 2 and Solaben 3, are in commercial operation since 2012. Both of them are jointly owned by Abengoa Solar (70%) and Japanese company, Itochu (30%). The last two plants, Solaben 1 and Solaben 6, entered in commercial operation in 2013. Abengoa Solar provides operation and maintenance ( O & M ) services for the entire complex.
Location: Logrosán, Cáceres, Spain
Output: four 50 MW plants
Techonology: parabolic trough
Solar field: 280 acres each
Households supplied with clean energy: 26,000 each
CO2 emissions eliminated each year: 31,400 tons each
Status: in operation
Output: four 50 MW plants
Techonology: parabolic trough
Solar field: 280 acres each
Households supplied with clean energy: 26,000 each
CO2 emissions eliminated each year: 31,400 tons each
Status: in operation
Algeria
The integrated solar combined-cycle (ISCC) plant in Hassi-R’mel, Algeria, has a total power output of 150 megawatts (MW), 20 MW of which are obtained from a parabolic trough field composed of 224 parabolic trough collectors. The plant has been in operation since July 2011.
Abengoa is pioneering solar power in North Africa by partnering in the Hassi-R’mel plant construction and now in the plant operation. This is the world’s first solar hybrid plant with a combined cycle. 20 MW of its 150 MW total output will come from a parabolic trough field with 1.94 million sq. ft. of reflective surface area.
Abengoa and NEAL, New Energy Algeria, will operate the hybrid station over a 25-year period for Sonatrach, the primary energy company in Algeria.
Location: Hassi-R’mel, AlgeriaOutput: 150 MW Technology: integrated solar combined-cycleSolar Field: 1.94 million sq. ft.Status: in operation
United Arab Emirates
Shams-1 is a 100 megawatt (MW) parabolic trough plant, located in Madinat Zayed, approximately 75 miles southwest of Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates). Construction began in the summer of 2010. This project is a joint venture of Masdar, Abengoa Solar and Total.
The Shams-1 plant, covering around 741 acres of desert in Abu Dhabi, has a solar field of nearly 6,458,346 sq. ft. where 768 Abengoa Solar parabolic troughs operate and generate 100 MW of solar power.
Shams-1 incorporates state-of-the-art parabolic trough technology. Among other innovative features, highlights include the plant’s dry-cooling system and its auxiliary heating boiler. The dry-cooling system significantly reduces water consumption, while the auxiliary boiler, which heats the steam as it enters the turbine, boosts the cycle’s efficiency.
The project is being developed through a joint venture formed by Masdar, Total and Abengoa Solar.
Shams-1 represents an important step forward in introducing renewable energy in Abu Dhabi, whose goal is to have 7 percent of its energy be from renewable sources by 2020.
United States
Solana, the largest parabolic trough plant in the world, is a 280 megawatt (MW) installation with six hours of thermal storage. The plant is located 70 miles southwest of Phoenix, near Gila Bend, Arizona. Construction began at the end of 2010 and Solana started operation in 2013.
Abengoa Solar received a federal loan guarantee from the U.S Government in the amount of $1.45 billion, which facilitated the financial closing with the Federal Financing Bank (FFB) and the start of the plant´s construction.
Solana, using parabolic trough technology, has six hours of molten salt thermal energy storage, which allows energy to be dispatched as needed during cloudy periods and after sunset. Solana, therefore, is able to generate electricity well into the evening to help meet the summer peak demand for air conditioning.
The construction of Solana created more than 2,000 new jobs and over 85 permanent jobs. Also, the construction and operation of the plant generated thousands of indirect jobs.
From an environmental perspective, Solana provides Arizona citizens with clean, pollution and greenhouse gas free energy. At the same time, Solana reduces Arizona's need for fossil-fuel based energy generation, eliminating nearly 500,000 tons of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere each year. These reductions will contribute to Arizona state goals for renewable energy deployment as well as national targets to reduce the negative impact of climate change.
South Africa
Khi Solar One
Khi Solar One (50 MW) will be Abengoa´s third commercial solar tower and its first outside of Spain. This plant represents important technological advances in efficiency as it uses higher temperatures during the generation process and has more than double the capacity than the last tower Abengoa built in Spain. It comes as a result of the latest generation of solar tower technology using superheated steam, which was developed by Abengoa in its R&D centers.
Abengoa Solar built a pilot superheated tower plant at the Solucar Platform and has operated it successfully since 2009. The 3 MW facility has a solar field of 35 heliostats and a 50 meter tower which houses the experimental receiver. This plant has achieved producing superheated steam at high temperatures, which significantly improves power generation efficiency.
The plant will use the technologically advanced dry cooling, which dramatically reduces water consumption by two thirds. The tower plant will be located on a 600 ha site close to Upington, in the Northern Cape Province.
Khi Solar One will have 2 hours of thermal storage and will prevent approximately 183,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year.
Kaxu Solar One
Abengoa´s solar power project, will not only provide a clean energy future for South Africa, but will also bring economic development to the region.
Abengoa will own 51 % of each of the projects. The Industrial Development Corporation is South Africa’s largest development finance institution and has helped build the industrial capacity that fuels the country’s economic growth. This plant uses the technologically advanced dry cooling system.
KaXu Solar One, 100 MW parabolic trough plant will have storage capability for 3 hours, and will be located near the town of Pofadder in the Northern Cape Province.
About 800 jobs will be created during the construction period, with about 35 permanent plant operations jobs to follow. Around 200 direct and indirect full-time jobs per year will be created in the local community.
These two projects, Khi Solar One and KaXu Solar One, contribute to South Africa´s goal to introduce up to 17,800 MW of renewable energy by 2030 and reduce its dependence on oil and natural gas.
United States
Mojave Solar Project
Mojave Solar Project (MSP) is a 280 megawatt (MW) gross parabolic trough plant. The plant will be located 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles, near Barstow, California. Construction has begun and the Mojave Solar Project will come online in 2014.
Abengoa Solar received a federal loan guarantee from the U.S Government in the amount of $1.2 billion, which facilitated the financial closing with the Federal Financing Bank (FFB) and the start of the plant´s construction.
The Mojave Solar Project will use a new parabolic trough technology that will be more efficient and cost effective.
Mojave Solar Project will create more than 900 construction and permanent operation jobs. The construction and operation of the plant will also generate thousands of indirect jobs.
Chile
Industrial installation of concentrating solar power in Chile
The first concentrating solar power (CSP) project ever in South America is installed in the Atacama Desert in Chile. The parabolic trough plant is integrated into a copper mine operated by Minera El Tesoro, a subsidiary of Antofagasta Minerals. Levels of solar radiation in the Atacama Desert are very high, making this an ideal application of solar thermal technology.
The plant supplies heat in an efficient and sustainable manner to the Minera El Tesoro production processes.
Abengoa is responsible for the engineering, design and start-up of the new solar thermal plant. The solar field has 1,280 parabolic trough collector modules.
The plant incorporates thermal energy storage that allows the delivery of heat for many hours after the sun goes down.
This plant enables Minera El Tesoro to reduce fossil fuel used in the processes by more than 50 %, while reducing annual emissions by about 10,000 t of CO2.
Such a plant can be duplicated at other copper processing facilities, as well as at mines in the Antofagasta region extracting nitrates for fertilizer, lithium salts for batteries and other minerals.
Mexico
Hybrid solar-gas plant in Mexico
The new concentrating solar power plant in Agua Prieta will be the first hybrid solar-gas plant in Mexico, and the third that Abengoa has undertaken in the world.
This hybrid solar-gas plant will be comprised of a 14 MW solar field of parabolic trough collectors.
Abengoa will carry out the engineering, design and start-up of the innovative solar-gas hybrid technology in the new Agua Prieta concentrating solar power plant.
The second phase of the project will be completed with a combined cycle plant capable of producing up to 464.4 MW of power. This will be comprised of two gas turbines, one steam turbine, a heat exchanger; cooling, condensing and power systems, and auxiliary equipment and systems.
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