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Torresol Energy, reinventing solar power

The Spanish engineering group SENER Grupo de Ingeniería, S.A. and Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s future energy company, launch Torresol Energy to support thermosolar power, a clean, sustainable and inexhaustible energy source described as the answer to future energy needs.

The new company, 60% controlled by SENER and 40% by Masdar, will develop Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) plants using the Spanish engineering group’s technological innovations, both in cylindrical – parabolic troughs (CPT) and its system of a molten salts central receiver and heliostat farm.

The new company has set up operational offices in Bilbao, Madrid, Seville, San Francisco and another one, to be opened in the near future, in Abu Dhabi.

A definitive commitment to CSP

Torresol Energy’s aim is to build and operate an average of two plants a year around the world. The forecast is for an output of around 320 MW by the end of 2010 that should increase to 1,000 MW in a period of 10 years.

It is to meet these objectives, that the two partners are combining forces: Masdar will provide Torresol Energy with the necessary operational capacity and an extensive portfolio of contacts, while SENER will offer its valuable experience to continue implementing and testing new technologies in every new project and this will enable Torresol Energy to maintain its position as a world leader in this field.

Both companies share a common vision: the need to contribute to the protection of the environment for future generations.

Torresol Energy will take over the baton on several projects already started by SENER, where the company has carried out not only the engineering and construction work but also the promotion and investment. These are two CPT technology plants, Termesol and Arcosol, and another one incorporating central tower technology, Gemasolar.

Gemasolar, Torresol Energy’s most advanced project

Gemasolar represents SENER’s most advanced commitment to solar energy so far, using innovations tested in the PSA (Plataforma Solar de Almería) located in the SE of Spain. In fact, with this project Torresol Energy is the first company in the world to apply this molten salt central receiver system in a commercial plant.

The innovative technology to be installed at Gemasolar, which is currently under construction in Seville (Spain), will enable it to keep generating electricity for around 15 hours even if the sun is not shining, thanks to the molten salt storage system, which can reach temperatures higher than 500ºC. This will ensure an electricity output for about 6,500 hours a year, two and a half to three times more than other forms of renewable energy such as wind or photovoltaic power. Once it is operating, the Gemasolar plant will be capable of generating enough electricity to meet the needs of 30,000 homes. Arcosol, which will be the first thermosolar plant to be built in the Spanish province of Cádiz, will involve an investment of 300 million euros. With a rated power of 50 MW, it will have the capacity to generate 3,250 hours of electricity a year, the equivalent to the average consumption of 45,000 homes. The third project, Termesol, is located in Seville and will be another 50 MW plant, with very similar specifications to the Arcosol plant. Both will use the SENERtrough collector system.

A promising future for solar energy

Torresol Energy will concentrate its strategy on technologies targeted at the design, construction and operation of high potential electricity power plants that are capable of generating high power, as is the case with the CSP plants.

These plants are destined to be part of the medium term energy scene for the so-called ‘sun belt’: southern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa area (MENA) and the southwest of the United States.

The excellent business prospects in CSP sector make Torresol Energy confident that this type of technology will be one of the keys to satisfy the planet’s growing energy needs for the future.

Torresol Energy
Pl. de la Encina 10, Núcleo 2, 3ºB
SPAIN

T. +34 918 077 454
F. +34 918 078 635
Email: info@torresolenergy.com
Web: www.torresolenergy.com

 

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