B&W enters new solar receiver market

LYNCHBURG, USA: Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, Inc. (B&W PGG), a major operating unit of The Babcock & Wilcox Company (B&W), has designed, developed and manufactured a tower-mounted steam generation receiver for eSolar’s 5MW solar thermal power plant in the Antelope Valley region of Southern California.

This new product positions B&W to enter the growing market of solar renewable energy. B&W is a major operating subsidiary of McDermott International, Inc.

Based on extensive research and existing steam generation technologies, B&W’s new solar receiver is designed to make more efficient use of sunlight at a commercial size. The B&W solar receiver will sit atop a tower at eSolar’s Sierra SunTower facility.

The solar thermal power plant technology utilizes small, flat mirrors which track the sun with high precision and reflect the sun's heat to B&W’s receiver, which boils water to create steam. This steam powers a traditional turbine and generator to produce clean electricity.

“B&W is continually growing its clean energy portfolio, so this is a very exciting project for us,” said Brandon Bethards, Chief Executive Officer of B&W. “Solar thermal technology is based on B&W’s core technology strengths – heat transfer, superheating steam, and the development and use of advanced designs and materials. We appreciate eSolar’s consideration of our design as they evaluate all their alternatives for their very promising approach to generating clean energy.”

The solar receiver is designed for eSolar’s model for utility-scale concentrated solar thermal power plants. eSolar’s modular solar power projects marry a combination of proprietary software and pre-fabricated components for cost-effective scalability. eSolar power plants can be built in 46MW unit solutions located close to existing transmission lines.

B&W’s full-scale demonstration solar receiver was delivered to eSolar in April 2009. Babcock & Wilcox Construction Co., Inc. has been contracted to install the solar receiver, and demonstration of the receiver’s capabilities will take place later this summer.