IRVING, USA: Fluor Corp. announced that the company was awarded an engineering services contract by eSolar Inc., for the design of a 46 megawatt concentrating solar power (CSP) plant. Fluor will provide design optimization to rapidly scale eSolar’s 46 megawatt power plants. The undisclosed contract value was booked in the company’s third quarter of 2009.
“Fluor is well-positioned to play a leading role in the global EPC renewable energy market,” said Dave Dunning, president of Fluor’s Power Group. “Our proven expertise in designing and building power generation facilities will further validate and strengthen eSolar’s technological advancements and bolster their ability to deploy their unique design worldwide to meet their business agenda.”
“We believe that Fluor’s superior engineering strength will lead to faster and broader deployment to meet the rising global demand for renewable energy. With our first 5 MW power plant in the ground and delivering electricity to the grid, we are thrilled to have Fluor onboard to help scale this new breakthrough in solar technology to meet customer demand,” said Bill Gross, chief executive officer of eSolar.
Fluor’s southern California operations center is leading the effort on this project with an immediate start date. Fluor will perform detailed studies focused on optimizing performance, constructability and cost. This will include basic engineering for a reference plant design that will be used to provide a scalable design package to potential developers worldwide.
Over the last three decades, Fluor’s experience in the renewables sector includes work in the solar, wind, nuclear, geothermal and air quality improvement sectors. Earlier this year, Fluor’s Power Group created a dedicated business line to specifically address the needs of the global renewable energy market.
Showing posts with label eSolar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label eSolar. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
eSolar cranks out alternative energy plant designs in SolidWorks
CONCORD, USA: A five megawatt (MW) pilot concentrated solar power (CSP) plant designed in SolidWorks 3D CAD software went online this week, providing electricity to 4,000 homes near Los Angeles. California-based eSolar used SolidWorks software to design heliostat mirrors that reflect and concentrate sunlight to a boiler that generates steam and powers a standard turbine to create solar energy.
Key facts
* Funded in part by Google, eSolar is an Idealab company that develops and constructs modular, scalable solar thermal power plants.
* eSolar’s methodology standardizes heliostat production to reduce costs and development time, while simplifying deployment.
* eSolar uses 20 licenses of SolidWorks software to engineer the exact mirror specifications that can withstand extreme winds yet be light enough for easy electronic adjustment.
* By enabling eSolar engineers to calculate precise tolerances and part fits on screen, SolidWorks has eliminated a full prototype cycle (normally four months).
* Contract manufacturers work with eSolar’s SolidWorks designs to ensure manufacturability and ease of assembly, further streamlining development.
* eSolar also uses SolidWorks Workgroup PDM product data management software to ensure version control while different engineers work on the same design simultaneously.
* Global energy demand could double or triple by 2050, according to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.
* By 2020, solar energy could easily provide energy to over a billion people globally and provide 2.3 million full-time jobs, according to EPIA and Greenpeace.
Rick Iannello, vice president of manufacturing, said: "As a startup company, we want to deliver our product as fast as possible. That means proving the technology and garnering interest while you still have enough capital.
"SolidWorks software played a critical role in helping us refine the technology quickly so we could start shopping our scalable plant design around. The result is that we’ve gone online with our pilot, and we have other projects in the works. That’s the kind of early traction we need."
Key facts
* Funded in part by Google, eSolar is an Idealab company that develops and constructs modular, scalable solar thermal power plants.
* eSolar’s methodology standardizes heliostat production to reduce costs and development time, while simplifying deployment.
* eSolar uses 20 licenses of SolidWorks software to engineer the exact mirror specifications that can withstand extreme winds yet be light enough for easy electronic adjustment.
* By enabling eSolar engineers to calculate precise tolerances and part fits on screen, SolidWorks has eliminated a full prototype cycle (normally four months).
* Contract manufacturers work with eSolar’s SolidWorks designs to ensure manufacturability and ease of assembly, further streamlining development.
* eSolar also uses SolidWorks Workgroup PDM product data management software to ensure version control while different engineers work on the same design simultaneously.
* Global energy demand could double or triple by 2050, according to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.
* By 2020, solar energy could easily provide energy to over a billion people globally and provide 2.3 million full-time jobs, according to EPIA and Greenpeace.
Rick Iannello, vice president of manufacturing, said: "As a startup company, we want to deliver our product as fast as possible. That means proving the technology and garnering interest while you still have enough capital.
"SolidWorks software played a critical role in helping us refine the technology quickly so we could start shopping our scalable plant design around. The result is that we’ve gone online with our pilot, and we have other projects in the works. That’s the kind of early traction we need."
Friday, August 7, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
eSolar ushers in new era of solar energy by unveiling Sierra power plant
LANCASTER, USA: With 24,000 mirrors glimmering under the Antelope Valley summer sun, eSolar, a leading provider of modular, scalable solar thermal power technology, unveiled its 5-megawatt (MW) Sierra SunTower solar power plant.
The full-scale power plant, the only power tower of its kind in the US, produces electricity for Southern California Edison (SCE) and can power more than 4,000 homes in California's Antelope Valley.
The eSolar technology resolves many of the problems that have held back large scale solar in the past including cost, speed of deployment and proximity to existing transmission lines.
eSolar uses advanced software algorithms to precisely focus thousands of mirrors on a single point to efficiently harvest the sun's energy and achieve economies of scale with a smaller footprint than anyone else in the business.
"Today, we unveil a new blueprint for solar energy — one that leverages Moore's law rather than more steel," said Bill Gross, CEO of eSolar. "Sierra is just the beginning. Soon eSolar technology will be deployed worldwide to provide clean, affordable energy to hundreds of thousands of homes."
Constructed in less than one year, eSolar's Sierra SunTower power plant marks the first of several developments in the Antelope Valley region using eSolar technology. Over the course of construction, this project created 300 jobs.
"With today's historic plant opening, eSolar is proving that California's energy and environmental leadership are advancing carbon-free, cost-effective energy that can be used around the world," said Governor Schwarzenegger.
"Through measures such as AB 32 and the California Solar Initiative, I have worked to create an environment that allows companies such as eSolar to thrive in our state — creating green jobs, boosting our economy and preparing us for the energy demands of the future."
eSolar received the support and cooperation of the City of Lancaster throughout the construction process. "The City of Lancaster is proud to be home to the nation's newest solar power tower plant. This plant and eSolar's progressive growth plans throughout the Antelope Valley are the crown jewels in our ongoing effort to truly become the Alternative Energy Capital of the World," said R. Rex Parris, Mayor of Lancaster.
eSolar develops its California projects on parcels of previously disturbed private lands, avoiding many of the permitting and environmental pitfalls of development on pristine desert lands.
Located in northern Lancaster, Sierra SunTower is built on private land designated for heavy industrial use. The decision to site projects solely on private land is unique within the utility-scale solar industry, and the distinction has garnered support from local environmental advocates.
"eSolar demonstrates that pristine wildlands do not have to be sacrificed in order to keep the lights on with clean energy," remarked David Myers, Executive Director of the Wildlands Conservancy. "eSolar's efforts to reduce its impact on the surrounding environment demonstrates a level of foresight we hope to see from other solar developers in the future."
Sierra SunTower was fully financed and developed by eSolar, proving the rapid deployment, pre-fabricated method eSolar patented and pioneered. Building on Sierra's success, eSolar will deploy many more plants around the country and around the world.
In February, eSolar announced an agreement with NRG Energy, Inc. to develop three plants in California and New Mexico that will generate up to 465 megawatts of electricity using eSolar technology. Additionally, in March, eSolar licensed its technology to India-based ACME Group for approximately 1 gigawatt of eSolar solar thermal capacity.
"Today we take an important step to a new dawn of power generation," said David Crane, President and CEO of NRG Energy. "With eSolar demonstrating the commercial viability of solar thermal power on a large scale, and with NRG planning to implement the technology at scale across the Southwest, we will begin to harness the sun to power our lives."
The full-scale power plant, the only power tower of its kind in the US, produces electricity for Southern California Edison (SCE) and can power more than 4,000 homes in California's Antelope Valley.
The eSolar technology resolves many of the problems that have held back large scale solar in the past including cost, speed of deployment and proximity to existing transmission lines.
eSolar uses advanced software algorithms to precisely focus thousands of mirrors on a single point to efficiently harvest the sun's energy and achieve economies of scale with a smaller footprint than anyone else in the business.
"Today, we unveil a new blueprint for solar energy — one that leverages Moore's law rather than more steel," said Bill Gross, CEO of eSolar. "Sierra is just the beginning. Soon eSolar technology will be deployed worldwide to provide clean, affordable energy to hundreds of thousands of homes."
Constructed in less than one year, eSolar's Sierra SunTower power plant marks the first of several developments in the Antelope Valley region using eSolar technology. Over the course of construction, this project created 300 jobs.
"With today's historic plant opening, eSolar is proving that California's energy and environmental leadership are advancing carbon-free, cost-effective energy that can be used around the world," said Governor Schwarzenegger.
"Through measures such as AB 32 and the California Solar Initiative, I have worked to create an environment that allows companies such as eSolar to thrive in our state — creating green jobs, boosting our economy and preparing us for the energy demands of the future."
eSolar received the support and cooperation of the City of Lancaster throughout the construction process. "The City of Lancaster is proud to be home to the nation's newest solar power tower plant. This plant and eSolar's progressive growth plans throughout the Antelope Valley are the crown jewels in our ongoing effort to truly become the Alternative Energy Capital of the World," said R. Rex Parris, Mayor of Lancaster.
eSolar develops its California projects on parcels of previously disturbed private lands, avoiding many of the permitting and environmental pitfalls of development on pristine desert lands.
Located in northern Lancaster, Sierra SunTower is built on private land designated for heavy industrial use. The decision to site projects solely on private land is unique within the utility-scale solar industry, and the distinction has garnered support from local environmental advocates.
"eSolar demonstrates that pristine wildlands do not have to be sacrificed in order to keep the lights on with clean energy," remarked David Myers, Executive Director of the Wildlands Conservancy. "eSolar's efforts to reduce its impact on the surrounding environment demonstrates a level of foresight we hope to see from other solar developers in the future."
Sierra SunTower was fully financed and developed by eSolar, proving the rapid deployment, pre-fabricated method eSolar patented and pioneered. Building on Sierra's success, eSolar will deploy many more plants around the country and around the world.
In February, eSolar announced an agreement with NRG Energy, Inc. to develop three plants in California and New Mexico that will generate up to 465 megawatts of electricity using eSolar technology. Additionally, in March, eSolar licensed its technology to India-based ACME Group for approximately 1 gigawatt of eSolar solar thermal capacity.
"Today we take an important step to a new dawn of power generation," said David Crane, President and CEO of NRG Energy. "With eSolar demonstrating the commercial viability of solar thermal power on a large scale, and with NRG planning to implement the technology at scale across the Southwest, we will begin to harness the sun to power our lives."
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