- 100-megawatt plant will power thousands United Arab Emirates homes
- It is hoped that it will also displace 175,000 tons of CO2 each year
- Plant covers 2.5 sq/km of desert, equivalent to 285 football pitches
You might think that as one of the world's top oil producing nations, the United Arab Emirates would have little use for solar energy.
But
that hasn't stopped the Middle East state from unveiling the largest
concentrated solar power plant in operation anywhere in the world.
The 100-megawatt solar-thermal project in Abu Dhabi will power thousands of homes in the country and, it is hoped, displace approximately 175,000 tons of CO2 per year.
The world's largest: The Shams 1 concentrated
solar energy power plant in Abu Dhabi features more than 258,000 mirrors
mounted on 768 tracking parabolic trough collectors, covering an area
of 2.5 sq/km
Shiny: By concentrating heat from direct sunlight onto
oil-filled pipes, Shams 1 produces steam, which drives a turbine to
generate electricity
Powerful: In addition, the solar project uses a booster to
heat steam as it enters the turbine to dramatically increase the
cycle's efficiency
Harvesting the power of light: In the sweltering
heat of the Arabian sun, Shams 1 generates electricity to power 20,000
homes in the UAE
The $600million (£398million) project dubbed Shams 1 took three years to build.
Incorporating
the latest in parabolic trough technology, the plant features more than
258,000 mirrors mounted on 768 tracking parabolic trough collectors,
covering an area of 2.5 sq/km, or 285 football fields.
By concentrating heat from
direct sunlight onto oil-filled pipes, Shams 1 produces steam, which
drives a turbine to generate electricity.
In
addition, the solar project uses a booster to heat steam as it enters
the turbine to dramatically increase the cycle's efficiency.
The
project also includes a dry-cooling system that significantly reduces
water consumption - a critical advantage in the arid desert of western
Abu Dhabi.
Useful: Because power is generated during peak
demand the Shams 1 reduce the need for 'peak shaving'
generators, which are expensive and idle most of the year
Look upon my works, ye mighty: Left, United Arab
Emirates President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
third-left) during the official inauguration of the plant. It works by
concentrating heat from direct sunlight onto oil-filled pipes to produce
steam which drives a turbine to generate electricity (see diagram,
right)
'Abundance of solar energy': The president
(third-left on the left hand picture) listens to Dr Sultan Ahmed Al
Jaber (second-left) minister of state of the United Arab Emirates and
the managing director and chief executive officer of Masdar. On the
right picture President Al Nahyan and Dr Al Jaber look at a
commemorative sundial
In the sweltering heat of the Arabian sun, Shams 1 generates electricity to power 20,000 homes in the UAE.
And
because solar power is generated during peak demand the UAE is able to
reduce the need for 'peak shaving' generators, which are expensive and
idle most of the year.
Masdar,
Abu Dhabi's renewable energy company, partnered with French energy
company Total and Spain's energy infrastructure company Abengoa to build
the plant.
'The Middle East holds nearly half of the world's renewable energy potential,' said Santiago Seage, CEO of Abengoa Solar.
'The
abundance of solar energy is an opportunity to integrate sustainable,
clean sources of power that address energy security and climate change.
'The region needs more projects like Shams 1, and we look forward to pushing the boundaries of future energy.'
Under construction: The $600million
(£398million) project took three years to build. Masdar, Abu Dhabi's
renewable energy company, partnered with French energy company Total and
Spain's energy infrastructure company Abengoa to build the ambitious
plant
Proud: The men and women behind Shams 1 pose for a picture in front of the new plant
Dr
Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar, said: 'The inauguration of Shams 1
is a major breakthrough for renewable energy in the Middle East.
'Just
like the rest of the word, the region is faced with meeting its rising
demand for energy, while also working to reduce its carbon footprint.
'Shams
1 is a significant milestone, as large-scale renewable energy is
proving it can deliver electricity that is sustainable, affordable and
secure.'
He added: 'Abu
Dhabi is investing and incubating a new energy industry, domestically
and internationally. Through Masdar, the UAE is redefining the role it
plays in providing the world with energy.
'From
precious hydrocarbon exports to sophisticated renewable energy systems,
we are balancing the energy mix and diversifying our economy - moving
toward a more sustainable future.
'Today, the UAE is the only OPEC nation delivering both hydrocarbons and renewable energy to the international market.'
