Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) plants are an amazing, wonderful, renewable energy technology, as long as the sun is shining. However solar power alone cannot provide on-demand power, especially in the case of off-grid applications. Aora Solar, out of Yavne, Israel, is almost complete with the world’s first ever solar hybrid plant, which will combine concentrated solar power with a hybrid-microturbine to generate power 24 hours a day. This technology could help provide off-grid communities the necessary power without having to run miles of costly transmission lines.
Installation of the new hybrid system is less than 10 days away from being completed at the Kibbutz Sammar in Israel. Once up and running on June 24th, the plant will generate 100 kW of on-demand power plus 170 kW of thermal power. The plant consists of 30 heliostats (mirrors) that track the sun and direct its rays up to the 30-meter tall tower, where all the sunlight from the heliostats is concentrated. This concentrated sunlight heats compressed air, which drives an electric turbine. The tower itself is a welcome change from other power towers we have seen in the past – it actually looks good with its tulip flower shape.
The hybrid part of the plant allows for on-demand power due to its inline microturbine. When the sun has set for the day or if it is cloudy, biodiesel, natural gas, or bio fuels can be used to run the microturbine, which then drives the electric turbine. The hybrid system has the capacity to power 70 homes 24/7.
A hybrid system like this has the potential to provide distributed generation or off-grid power to communities, companies or factories. As production of bio fuels becomes more efficient and sustainable, we’re hoping to see more and more hybrid solar concentrating systems.
Via Treehugger
11 Responses to “World’s First Hybrid Solar Power Plant Opens in Israel”
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Do you have any numbers to make a case study into the profitability?
Bernardo de Tomás
Hey Bernardo. You’ll have to contact the company specifically to get that kind of info. They didn’t release any on their website.
Wow, that is brilliant? Have you ever thought of building your own solar panels for your own use?
good for healty life
This is very briallant idea and important uses OF MEchanical energy department of science to world by mani mech student of vellore
I am interested to set up a10KW hybrid Solar Power in my Apartment building. Is it possible? and what will be the cost.
wonderfull
i am interesting as an investor to financial projects of PV for ellectricity non less than 1 MW in italia
hillellio@bezeqint.net
It is great to read your revolutionary and successful project. If you have smaller plant of say 10 to 25 KVA capacity which can find very wide application in all rural application it will be a great social renaissance and cleaner environment
Good Luck and wishing all success
Do we have similar proposals to build say 10Kw capacity plant?Keen to have your feedback.
Could it be possible to establish a JV here in Qatar for a 1200KW for a Factory?
give me information about lastest power system used