ID :
211331
Wed, 10/05/2011 - 12:48
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https://oananews.org//node/211331
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Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, King of Spain inaugurate Gemasolar power plant
Spain-Asheville - Oct 5, 2011 (WAM) - His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, said the UAE under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan continues efforts to achieve the sustainable development and contribute effectively to enhancing global energy security through dissemination of the feasibility of investing in renewable energy technology and resources to achieve balance and sustainability of the resources needed to face all future challenges.
He hailed the friendly relations and cooperation between the UAE and the Kingdom of Spain, whose foundations were laid by founding father late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and His Majesty King Juan Carlos I, of Spain.
Sheikh Mohammed stressed the importance of consolidating the bonds between the two countries in the benefit of the two people.
The remarks were made during the inauguration of Gemasolar, world's first power plant capable of 24 -hour , uninterrupted electricity generation from the sun, by Sheikh Mohammed and King Juan Carlos of Spain, in the presence of H. H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor, H. H. Sheikh Abdulla bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince underlined that the inauguration of this great project "is a fruit of cooperation with Spain", indicating that genuine success requires Masdar to encourage and inspire others to find sources of future energy.
He cited the UAE's important role to boost the international relations in the area of energy through Masdar initiative.
He emphasised the importance of the UAE participation in the world-class projects that use innovative technology and provide successful solutions to tackle energy challenges such as Gemasolar plant, which introduces advanced technology at commercial level.
Sheikh Mohammed underscored the need for acquiring technological knowledge and transfer of expertise through participation of Emiratis in these projects to move the country to the knowledge-driven economy, and then export expertise to the rest of the world.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar said: "Today is an important milestone in the realisation of the Abu Dhabi vision, laid out by our forward thinking leadership. The extraordinary vision of our President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, and the passion and dedication of His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan have enabled Abu Dhabi to be build bridges with like-minded nations in the effort to address the world's greatest current and future challenges, like energy security, climate change mitigation, developing clean technologies and sustainable human development. It is ultimately this vision that guided us to today's inauguration of the most commercially and technologically significant solar plant in the world."
He added that the UAE is offering to contribute strengths and expertise as an energy exporter. "Through Masdar, we are working with international partners to develop and deploy the most recent scientific and technological innovations, increasing the role of renewable energy as part of a diversified energy mix alongside oil, gas and safe, secure nuclear. In this way, we will build on the UAE's role by also becoming a global provider of future energy knowledge and expertise." Al Jaber added that the UAE and Spain share a common interest in developing solar power, indicating that Abu Dhabi's initiative to develop renewable energy and clean tech solutions complements and is underpinned by its existing strong position and strength in the hydrocarbon industry.
"The benefits of this plant extend beyond technology development to economic and social development and we look forward to working with other nations on opportunities to benefit from this significant achievement." He noted ultimately, this technology advances the potential of providing dispatchable solar energy at competitive prices to the grid.
Enrique Sendagorta, President of Terresol Energy, stated: "We want to become a global company that develops the use of concentrated solar power as a sustainable source of power and therefore contribute to the protection of the environment for the future generations.
He added that the start up of this plant that "we inaugurate today is a first decisive step in our way. Gemasolar, owned by Torresol Energy, would not have been possible without the contributions of its partners: SENER and Masdar." For his part, Jorge Sendagorta, President of SENER added: "In the last decade, SENER has dedicated an enormous intellectual and economical effort to the advance and commercial deployment of the thermoelectric generation from concentrated solar power. An effort that has given its results, as we have materialised three important contributions to the development of this technology, the thermal storage, that improves drastically the plant availability and makes it possible to generate power even when there is no sunshine; the thermoelectric efficiency increase, with receivers that operate at very high temperatures; and the cost reduction with industrialised designs and processes. All these innovations are particularly demonstrated in this plant, Gemasolar."
Spanish Minister for Industry, Tourism and Trade, Miguel Sebastian, said his country has advanced in the important and vital area of using clean energy, which is an appropriate field for investments as it contributes to enhancement of the economy. He noted that Gemasolar plant will push Spain to occupy and advanced position in the area of clean energy being the sole EU country that acquires such a unique project.
The King and Sheikh Mohammed unveiled a memorial plaque after which commemorative photos were taken. The collaboration marks a key milestone in the UAE's growing role in the global energy sector, as a provider of renewable energy knowledge and expertise.
It also builds on a tradition of forging close and cooperative international relations that are now moving into a new era as the UAE strives to increase the share of renewable energy in the energy mix, which is essential to meet the challenges of climate change mitigation and energy security.
The Gemasolar concentrated solar power (CSP) plant, located at Fuentes de Andalucía in Seville, Spain and owned by Torresol Energy, a joint venture between Masdar, Abu Dhabi's multi-faceted renewable energy company and SENER, the leading Spanish engineering and construction firm, is the world's first commercial plant to use molten salt thermal storage in a central tower configuration with a heliostat field and is expected to have a major impact of the future of the global solar industry. Torresol Energy owns the intellectual property rights to the leading edge technology.
The development of the plant is the direct result of the UAE leadership's progressive plans to further the nation's leading role in the global energy sector and build an open and positive platform for international cooperation and collaboration by driving worldwide endeavours to diversify the energy portfolio.
The 185 hectare site consists of a field of 2,650 heliostats (mirrors) that reflect the sun's rays onto a 140m-high central tower, concentrating solar irradiation at a ratio of 1000:1.
The use of salt, rather than oil, to transfer the heat generated from the concentrated sunlight, allows Gemasolar to operate at temperatures of over 550 C, much higher than plants with parabolic trough technology. This in turn generates hotter, pressurised steam to move the turbine, which significantly increases the plant's efficiency.
Storing the hot salt also means electricity generation can continue for up to 15 hours even when there is no sunshine, a capability which could transform the solar industry.
Gemasolar, with a 19.9MW turbine and expected net electrical production of 110 GWh/year, started supplying electricity earlier this year through a high-tension line to the substation of Villanueva del Rey (Andalusia, Spain), where it is injected into the grid. It will supply to 25,000 homes in southern Spain, at full capacity, and is expected to save more than 30,000 tonnes of CO2 emission a year.
Torresol Energy, which commercially develops, manages construction, owns and operates CSP plants globally, has been awarded a 25-year regulated tariff by the Spanish Government. It is developing two further facilities - Valle 1 and Valle 2 - in nearby Cadiz. These 50MW facilities will employ parabolic trough technology and have an expected net electrical production of 160 GWh/year each - equivalent to the average consumption of 40,000 households. The two plants will together help save 90,000 tonnes of CO2 a year. Both are scheduled to commence start operations by the end of 2011.
These facilities will help Spain contribute to Europe's 2020 climate and energy targets which aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20%, increase to 20% the use of renewables as a primary source of energy and reduce primary energy consumption by 20% through improved efficiency.
A 171 million Euro financing facility was secured through the open market in 2008 for the construction of Gemasolar, led by Banco Popular, Banesto and the Instituto de Credito Oficial, with 90 million Euros of this facility provided by the European Investment Bank. A further Euro 540 million of project finance loans was secured for the construction of Valle 1 and Valle 2.
Raising this amount for a first-of-its-kind technology at a commercial scale shows what Masdar and SENER are capable of as strong, credible technology partners. The support of EIB was also very important to the viability of this project, total investment in the three facilities came to Euro 1bn (US$1.4bn).
Gemasolar has already won a number of awards including ‘Commercialised Technology Innovation of the Year' and the Ruban d'Honneur title in the prestigious European Business Awards.
Masdar Power, one of the five integrated units of Masdar, is mandated to build and operate a portfolio of large scale renewable energy power projects. It is currently implementing major projects such as the 100MW Shams-One solar plant in the UAE, as well as international projects including the 1,000MW London Array offshore wind farm.- Emirates News Agency, WAM
He hailed the friendly relations and cooperation between the UAE and the Kingdom of Spain, whose foundations were laid by founding father late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and His Majesty King Juan Carlos I, of Spain.
Sheikh Mohammed stressed the importance of consolidating the bonds between the two countries in the benefit of the two people.
The remarks were made during the inauguration of Gemasolar, world's first power plant capable of 24 -hour , uninterrupted electricity generation from the sun, by Sheikh Mohammed and King Juan Carlos of Spain, in the presence of H. H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor, H. H. Sheikh Abdulla bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince underlined that the inauguration of this great project "is a fruit of cooperation with Spain", indicating that genuine success requires Masdar to encourage and inspire others to find sources of future energy.
He cited the UAE's important role to boost the international relations in the area of energy through Masdar initiative.
He emphasised the importance of the UAE participation in the world-class projects that use innovative technology and provide successful solutions to tackle energy challenges such as Gemasolar plant, which introduces advanced technology at commercial level.
Sheikh Mohammed underscored the need for acquiring technological knowledge and transfer of expertise through participation of Emiratis in these projects to move the country to the knowledge-driven economy, and then export expertise to the rest of the world.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar said: "Today is an important milestone in the realisation of the Abu Dhabi vision, laid out by our forward thinking leadership. The extraordinary vision of our President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, and the passion and dedication of His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan have enabled Abu Dhabi to be build bridges with like-minded nations in the effort to address the world's greatest current and future challenges, like energy security, climate change mitigation, developing clean technologies and sustainable human development. It is ultimately this vision that guided us to today's inauguration of the most commercially and technologically significant solar plant in the world."
He added that the UAE is offering to contribute strengths and expertise as an energy exporter. "Through Masdar, we are working with international partners to develop and deploy the most recent scientific and technological innovations, increasing the role of renewable energy as part of a diversified energy mix alongside oil, gas and safe, secure nuclear. In this way, we will build on the UAE's role by also becoming a global provider of future energy knowledge and expertise." Al Jaber added that the UAE and Spain share a common interest in developing solar power, indicating that Abu Dhabi's initiative to develop renewable energy and clean tech solutions complements and is underpinned by its existing strong position and strength in the hydrocarbon industry.
"The benefits of this plant extend beyond technology development to economic and social development and we look forward to working with other nations on opportunities to benefit from this significant achievement." He noted ultimately, this technology advances the potential of providing dispatchable solar energy at competitive prices to the grid.
Enrique Sendagorta, President of Terresol Energy, stated: "We want to become a global company that develops the use of concentrated solar power as a sustainable source of power and therefore contribute to the protection of the environment for the future generations.
He added that the start up of this plant that "we inaugurate today is a first decisive step in our way. Gemasolar, owned by Torresol Energy, would not have been possible without the contributions of its partners: SENER and Masdar." For his part, Jorge Sendagorta, President of SENER added: "In the last decade, SENER has dedicated an enormous intellectual and economical effort to the advance and commercial deployment of the thermoelectric generation from concentrated solar power. An effort that has given its results, as we have materialised three important contributions to the development of this technology, the thermal storage, that improves drastically the plant availability and makes it possible to generate power even when there is no sunshine; the thermoelectric efficiency increase, with receivers that operate at very high temperatures; and the cost reduction with industrialised designs and processes. All these innovations are particularly demonstrated in this plant, Gemasolar."
Spanish Minister for Industry, Tourism and Trade, Miguel Sebastian, said his country has advanced in the important and vital area of using clean energy, which is an appropriate field for investments as it contributes to enhancement of the economy. He noted that Gemasolar plant will push Spain to occupy and advanced position in the area of clean energy being the sole EU country that acquires such a unique project.
The King and Sheikh Mohammed unveiled a memorial plaque after which commemorative photos were taken. The collaboration marks a key milestone in the UAE's growing role in the global energy sector, as a provider of renewable energy knowledge and expertise.
It also builds on a tradition of forging close and cooperative international relations that are now moving into a new era as the UAE strives to increase the share of renewable energy in the energy mix, which is essential to meet the challenges of climate change mitigation and energy security.
The Gemasolar concentrated solar power (CSP) plant, located at Fuentes de Andalucía in Seville, Spain and owned by Torresol Energy, a joint venture between Masdar, Abu Dhabi's multi-faceted renewable energy company and SENER, the leading Spanish engineering and construction firm, is the world's first commercial plant to use molten salt thermal storage in a central tower configuration with a heliostat field and is expected to have a major impact of the future of the global solar industry. Torresol Energy owns the intellectual property rights to the leading edge technology.
The development of the plant is the direct result of the UAE leadership's progressive plans to further the nation's leading role in the global energy sector and build an open and positive platform for international cooperation and collaboration by driving worldwide endeavours to diversify the energy portfolio.
The 185 hectare site consists of a field of 2,650 heliostats (mirrors) that reflect the sun's rays onto a 140m-high central tower, concentrating solar irradiation at a ratio of 1000:1.
The use of salt, rather than oil, to transfer the heat generated from the concentrated sunlight, allows Gemasolar to operate at temperatures of over 550 C, much higher than plants with parabolic trough technology. This in turn generates hotter, pressurised steam to move the turbine, which significantly increases the plant's efficiency.
Storing the hot salt also means electricity generation can continue for up to 15 hours even when there is no sunshine, a capability which could transform the solar industry.
Gemasolar, with a 19.9MW turbine and expected net electrical production of 110 GWh/year, started supplying electricity earlier this year through a high-tension line to the substation of Villanueva del Rey (Andalusia, Spain), where it is injected into the grid. It will supply to 25,000 homes in southern Spain, at full capacity, and is expected to save more than 30,000 tonnes of CO2 emission a year.
Torresol Energy, which commercially develops, manages construction, owns and operates CSP plants globally, has been awarded a 25-year regulated tariff by the Spanish Government. It is developing two further facilities - Valle 1 and Valle 2 - in nearby Cadiz. These 50MW facilities will employ parabolic trough technology and have an expected net electrical production of 160 GWh/year each - equivalent to the average consumption of 40,000 households. The two plants will together help save 90,000 tonnes of CO2 a year. Both are scheduled to commence start operations by the end of 2011.
These facilities will help Spain contribute to Europe's 2020 climate and energy targets which aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20%, increase to 20% the use of renewables as a primary source of energy and reduce primary energy consumption by 20% through improved efficiency.
A 171 million Euro financing facility was secured through the open market in 2008 for the construction of Gemasolar, led by Banco Popular, Banesto and the Instituto de Credito Oficial, with 90 million Euros of this facility provided by the European Investment Bank. A further Euro 540 million of project finance loans was secured for the construction of Valle 1 and Valle 2.
Raising this amount for a first-of-its-kind technology at a commercial scale shows what Masdar and SENER are capable of as strong, credible technology partners. The support of EIB was also very important to the viability of this project, total investment in the three facilities came to Euro 1bn (US$1.4bn).
Gemasolar has already won a number of awards including ‘Commercialised Technology Innovation of the Year' and the Ruban d'Honneur title in the prestigious European Business Awards.
Masdar Power, one of the five integrated units of Masdar, is mandated to build and operate a portfolio of large scale renewable energy power projects. It is currently implementing major projects such as the 100MW Shams-One solar plant in the UAE, as well as international projects including the 1,000MW London Array offshore wind farm.- Emirates News Agency, WAM
