QUANTA

Monday, September 30, 2013

Ivanpah solar electric generating system connects to grid

September 30, 2013
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The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System uses concentric circles of mirrors that focus sunlight onto a central tower, generating high temperatures to produce steam that is then converted into electricity (credit: Brightsource)
The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System in California’s Mojave Desert produced its first output of energy when the first of three towers was synchronized last week to the power grid for the first time.
Power generated from Ivanpah will first go to Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), followed by Southern California Edison in the coming months.
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Ivanpah tower (credit: Brightsource)
Ivanpah is the largest solar thermal plant in the world, spanning 3,500 acres of public land. Once fully operational, the 392 megawatt (377 megawatt net) plant will generate enough electricity to power 140,000 homes. Ivanpah’s three power tower units will also nearly double the amount of commercial solar thermal energy capacity now operating in the United States.
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Ivanpah project (credit: Brightsource)
The project is jointly owned by NRG Energy, Inc., BrightSource Energy, Inc. and Google.


(¯`*• Global Source and/or more resources at http://goo.gl/zvSV7 │ www.Future-Observatory.blogspot.com and on LinkeIn Group's "Becoming Aware of the Futures" at http://goo.gl/8qKBbK │ @SciCzar │ Point of Contact: www.linkedin.com/in/AndresAgostini