The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System is an engineering marvel that delivers on the full promise of solar energy. Designed to leverage proven solar thermal technology while maintaining a low environmental impact, Ivanpah is setting a new standard for solar thermal power, providing a cost-competitive, reliable, long-term solution to California’s clean energy needs. Ivanpah is also strengthening the nation's economy and solar supply chain, shifting our country closer to energy independence.
Ivanpah is at the forefront of changing the future of how people think about and use energy. Instead of burning fossil fuels, the system uses the sun’s energy. Located in the Mojave Desert, Ivanpah has 347,000 garage door-sized mirrors distributed across 173,500 heliostats. The heliostats track with the sun so that the mirrors can efficiently reflect its rays up to boilers that sit on top of the facility’s three towers. The energy from the sun heats the water to create high-temperature steam that is then sent to a standard turbine where electricity is generated. The system uses 95 percent less water than wet-cooled solar thermal plants by utilizing dry cooling for steam condensing. The brilliance behind the design allows for the land to maintain its natural contours and vegetation. Ivanpah’s low environmental impact, coupled with its immediate promise, successfully demonstrates NRG’s commitment to transforming the future of energy – driving innovation and creating real choices for consumers.
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