Friday, January 2, 2009

BrightSource Energy signs contract with Siemens for solar-powered generator

BrightSource Energy, Inc., developer of large-scale solar thermal energy plants, has signed a contract with Siemens to purchase the steam turbine generator for BrightSource's first 100MW plant at its Ivanpah Solar Power Complex in California's Mojave Desert.

The contract with Siemens is for the supply of a 123 MW fully solar-powered steam turbine generator. When completed, the turbine is expected to be the largest fully solar-powered steam turbine generator to date.

"This contract marks another significant milestone in building California's first large scale-solar power plant in decades," said John Woolard, CEO of BrightSource Energy. "The Siemens high quality solar-powered turbine generator offers additional certainty that the project will deliver cost effective, reliable, and clean solar power."

Due to a lengthy production process, turbine generators must be ordered approximately three years in advance of the planned delivery date. The Siemens turbine is slated to be delivered in early 2011, and BrightSource expects this first phase of its Ivanpah Solar Power Complex to be operational and supplying solar energy to utilities in the fourth quarter of 2011.

The Ivanpah Solar Power Complex that BrightSource is building near the California/Nevada border in the Mojave Desert will power 250,000 homes and reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by over 500,000 tons per year. According to BrightSource, the Ivanpah Solar Power Complex will produce more electricity in one year than the total of all of the residential solar installations currently installed in the US.

BrightSource is the parent of Jerusalem, Israel-based BrightSource Industries Israel (BSII), formerly called Luz II. BSII performs R&D, production and project engineering for its California-based parent company.

BrightSource Energy selected as World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer 2009

Last month, BrightSource was selected as a 2009 Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum. BrightSource was the only solar company to win this year's prestigious award.

The Technology Pioneers Program identifies companies that have contributed to the Forum's mission of improving the state of the world. To be selected as a Technology Pioneer, a company must be involved in the development of life-changing technology innovation and ahve the potential for long-term impact on business and society.

Related Posts:

BrightSource Energy planning 1200 MW solar power facility in Nevada

BrightSource / Luz II dedicate Negev Solar Energy Development Center

BrightSource Energy raises $115 million in latest round of funding