Press Release
Application Filed for World's Largest Solar Energy Generating Plant
30,000 Solar Dishes in the Southern California Desert
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Phoenix-based Stirling Energy Systems (SES) today filed an application to build the world's largest solar energy generating system in Southern California.
The Application For Certification (AFC) submitted to the California Energy Commission (CEC) is for a 750-megawatt (MW) solar generation facility, called SES Solar Two, that will provide electricity for approximately 500,000 homes in the San Diego region. The facility would be located on 6,500 acres of desert land west of El Centro, Calif., in the Imperial Valley, an agricultural community 100 miles east of San Diego.
"This is a significant achievement in our quest to create a brighter future for humanity through solar energy," said Bruce Osborn, SES chief operating officer. "Stirling Energy Systems is one step closer to providing Californians with a cleaner and healthier energy alternative."
The 2,600-page application for SES Solar Two addresses numerous issues related to developing the most innovative solar generating facility ever proposed in California or the world. It is anticipated the CEC process and related government approvals will require 12 - 16 months, allowing construction to proceed in late 2009.
The Stirling Energy solar generation facility emits no greenhouse gasses and will displace more than 1.7 million tons of harmful emissions per year that would otherwise be produced by existing fossil fuel power plants.
"This groundbreaking solar energy project is a perfect example of the clean renewable energy California can and will generate to meet our long-term energy and climate change goals," Governor Schwarzenegger said. "This project is proof that California's ingenuity can spur a clean tech boom that will allow companies to expand while reducing the state's dependence on fossil fuels."
The SES solar dish engine technology, called the SunCatcher system, holds the record for the most efficient solar generation technology in the world. The SES SunCatcher is a concentrating solar thermal technology that converts sunlight into electricity at a rate of 31.25 percent, significantly more efficient than its closest competitor.
"The Stirling SunCatcher is a proven technology that will ensure clean, green solar energy at a price that is competitive with traditional electricity generation," said Steve Cowman, SES Chief Executive Officer. "SES Solar Two is the first of many projects we are pursuing in California for an overall cleaner energy future."
SES has a Purchase Power Agreement (PPA) with San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) for 600 MW that can be expanded to a total output of up to 900 megawatts, of which 750 MW will be constructed on the current parcel. The company also has a PPA with Southern California Edison for up to 850 MW of solar power generated by SES's Solar One facility planned for the Mojave Desert.
"SES Solar Two is a vital part of our renewable energy portfolio," said Mike Niggli, chief operating officer for SDG&E. "As we strive for a balanced and diverse energy mix, the Stirling Energy project will be a significant contributor to helping SDG&E meet its green energy goals."
The project will be constructed in two primary phases. The first will include 12,000 SunCatcher dishes generating 300 megawatts. The second phase will generate 450 megawatts using 18,000 solar dishes. Each SunCatcher dish is 38 feet tall, 40 feet wide and generates 25,000 watts of power. The next step will be getting the electricity to the San Diego region.
"The full build out of SES Solar Two will require completion of the Sunrise Powerlink, a 150-mile transmission line proposed by SDG&E from the Imperial Valley to San Diego," Osborn said. "We can deliver the first phase to San Diego on existing power lines, but new transmission infrastructure is critical to achieving full realization of the Solar Two facility."
The benefits to the Southern California region will be significant and far-reaching. The SES Solar Two generating facility will help California meet its renewable energy requirements while achieving the mandates to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The SunCatcher technology consumes no water for cooling and uses very little water to keep the mirrors clean.
The project will also spark an industry that will provide exceptional economic benefits. The SES Solar Two project is expected to generate 700 construction jobs, 160 permanent jobs, and millions of dollars in wages and taxes.
"SES Solar Two will help to initiate a commercial solar industry that will thrive in the Imperial Valley, as well as throughout California," Cowman said.
Stirling Energy Systems
SES was formed in 1996 to develop and commercialize advanced solar technology. The company maintains corporate headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, project and technical development offices in Tustin, California, and engineering and test site operations at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The SES SunCatcher is a concentrating solar power (CSP) technology that uses mirrors to concentrate the sun's energy and convert it to electricity. CSP technologies
include dish systems, parabolic troughs, power towers and concentrating photovoltaic. The dish concentrator tracks, collects and focuses the sun's energy and the Stirling engine converts the thermal energy to grid quality electricity. The SunCatcher technology has significant advantages including power conversion efficiency, cost competitiveness and low water usage. The SunCatcher is a zero emission renewable energy technology.
NTR plc
NTR plc is a leading international developer and operator in renewable energy and sustainable waste management. NTR recently invested $100 million in SES. Founded in 1978, the company has evolved from being a developer and operator of infrastructure in Ireland to an international developer and operator of renewable energy and sustainable waste management businesses in the US, UK, Ireland and Continental Europe. The company employs over 3,500 people and has a market capitalization in excess of €1.3 bn ($2 bn). Through Greenstar, its sustainable waste management business, it is the largest integrated waste management company in Ireland and the largest privately owned recycler in both the UK and the US. NTR's wind development subsidiary, Airtricity, was recently sold to a combination of E.On and Scottish and Southern Energy for €1.8bn ($2.7bn)
More information can be found at http://www.ntr.ie/ and http://www.stirlingenergy.com
Download press release » (PDF)
Spread the Word
Bookmark this Site
