Bokpoort CSP

Last updated

Bokpoort CSP
Bokpoort CSP Launch Group 16th March 2016.jpg
Bokpoort CSP
Official nameACWA Power Solafrica Bokpoort CSP Power Plant (Pty) Ltd
Country South Africa
Location Groblershoop
Coordinates 28°44′16″S21°59′50″E / 28.737750°S 21.997193°E / -28.737750; 21.997193 Coordinates: 28°44′16″S21°59′50″E / 28.737750°S 21.997193°E / -28.737750; 21.997193
StatusOperational
Construction beganJuly 2013
Commission date 13 November 2015 (1st Synchronisation on SA Grid)
Construction cost R5 bn ($339.93 mn)
Owner(s)ACWA Power, PIC, Revego African Energy Limited, Community Trust
Operator(s)Nomac IAE
Employees75
Solar farm
Type CSP
CSP technologyParabolic Reflectors
Collectors 8600
Site area300 hectares (741 acres)
Power generation
Units operational1x 50 MW
Make and modelSiemens
Nameplate capacity 50 MW
Capacity factor 53.4%
Annual net output 234 GW·h
Storage capacity 465 MW·he
[ edit on Wikidata]

Bokpoort CSP is a concentrated solar power (CSP) thermal energy power plant, located near Groblershoop in the Northern Cape province of South Africa. The project was procured pursuant to the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement (REIPPP) program initiated by the South African Department of Energy. [1]

Contents

The Bokpoort Plant has a thermal molten salt storage capacity of 1‚300 MWht equivalent to around 9.3 hours full load generation. [2] The plant synchronised for the first time on the South African Grid in November 2015, after a construction period of 29 months. [3] [4]

History

On 23 September 2013 the groundbreaking ceremony for the commencement of construction at the Bokpoort Concentrated Solar Power plant was held in the presence of ACWA Power Chairman Mohammad Abunayyan, Mayor Paul Vries and other dignitaries in Groblershoop, South Africa.

Power developer ACWA Power Solafrica’s Bokpoort concentrated solar power (CSP) plant reached full operation capacity, ahead of schedule, in December 2015.

On 16 March 2016 Trade Ministers from South Africa and Saudi Arabia jointly inaugurated the Bokpoort Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) Project, marking the official launch of the R 5 billion ($339.93 million) project.

The South African solar power plant has set a new African record (25 March 2016) for the continuous, round the clock supply of renewable electricity for 161 hours. [5]

On 29 April 2021 Revego Africa Energy Limited announced a 12 percent stake in the plant, for R 204 million ($14.8 million). Revego is buying the stake from Métier, a South Africa private equity firm, who manages the Lereko Metier Sustainable Capital fund. [6]

Technology

Bokpoort CSP has a gross capacity of 55  megawatts (MW) and 50 MW net. [7] The solar field covers an area of less than 300 hectares (741 acres). With its 8600 solar collector elements (SCE) the solar field captures the solar energy. Through the heat transfer fluid (HTF) circulating through large steam generators, the energy is transformed into steam at 103.6 bar and 380 °C. The 50MWe conventional steam turbine will then use the steam flow to generate electricity and two molten salt tanks will store excess heat energy for conversion into electric energy after sunshine hours.

Energy storage

One remarkable feature of the plant is the large energy storage capability. It is the world’s first commercial utility-scale CSP plant to have more than nine hours of storage, which provide the ability to deliver power well after sunset or when power demand is highest, effectively making it a peaking power plant. Bokpoort CSP Owners led by ACWA Power International (Saudi Arabia) describes this system as the largest thermal storage system ever built for a CSP plant of its size and capacity.

The Bokpoort thermal energy storage consists out of one hot and one cold storage tank (each 40 m diameter and 14 m height) filled with 39,100 tons of environmental friendly molten salt (potassium and sodium nitrate).

Solar field

The solar field consists out of 180 loops grouped into 8 sub-fields with a total of 8600 SCEs using SENER Trough Technology with Flabeg Glass Mirrors. There are in total 241,920 mirrors installed which have a total of 658,000 m2 of reflective surface.

Construction

The plant was built, starting in September 2013, by the EPC consortium of Spanish companies Acciona, SENER and TSK and South Africa’s Crowie. [8] During peak construction period the project employed more than 1300 persons on site.

Local content and skills transfer

Total estimated local value add (in ZAR) in form of local content and employment in South Africa was more than R 2 billion ($135.97 million), which equals about 41% of total project investment.

  1. Main SA manufacturers
    • Gauteng – HTF Expansion / Overflow Vessels
    • Upington – Salt Tanks (Thermal Storage)
    • Gauteng / Cape Town – Torque Tubes, Pylons for Solar Field
      • Approx. 8160 tonnes of steel for all Torque Tube
      • Approx. 1200 tonnes of steel for all Pylons
  1. Main SA Pre-Assemblers and On-site Assemblers
    • Upington – HTF Solar field piping
    • Upington – HCE Stainless steel piping
    • Northern Cape – HP Power Block Piping
    • On Site – Solar Collector Elements (7500)
  2. Total estimated training performed 50,000 hours
    • Safety training – 20%
    • Small tools use – 20%
    • On job training and skill-specific training –  60% (scaffold use, foundation erection, welding setup, electrical cable pulling and termination)

Socio-economic and community development

Bokpoort CSP became well known not only in the Northern Cape but also on national level for its innovative socio-economic and community development projects across pre-defined objectives such as education, self-sustainability, community well-being. Among other the following projects closely developed and implemented with the !Kheis Municipality and its communities:

  1. Duineveldt Solar Lighting; one of the key challenges identified by the !Kheis Municipality, in the Integrated Development Plan (IDP), is the lack of electricity to households
  2. Palms Technical Training Centre; it became Bokpoort CSP's partner to train community members to provide basic skills for the CSP project or to prepare them to enroll in vocational training schools, which allows them to acquire specialist skills in power plant construction or maintenance environments.
  3. Topline Water Reticulation; provision of clean drinking water to Topline community residents.
  4. Northern Cape Premier Mrs Sylvia Lucas visits Bokpoort CSP apprentices to get feedback on Apprenticeship Program. 20160226 110259 Northern Cape Premier&Apprentices.jpg
    Northern Cape Premier Mrs Sylvia Lucas visits Bokpoort CSP apprentices to get feedback on Apprenticeship Program.
    Various Apprenticeship Programs
  5. !Kheis loveLife Y-Centre [9]

Inauguration and commercial operation

Power developer ACWA Power Solafrica's Bokpoort concentrated solar power (CSP) plant reached full operation capacity – ahead of schedule in December 2015. ACWA Power Southern Africa Managing Director Chris Ehlers points out that the coordination between the owner, the engineering, procurement and construction contractor and Eskom, as well as other key partners, has been key in synchronising Bokpoort CSP slightly ahead of time with the national grid. [10] [11]

Inauguration

On 16 March 2016 Trade Ministers from South Africa and Saudi Arabia jointly inaugurated the Bokpoort Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) Project, marking the official launch of the R 5 billion ($339.93 million, 2016 exchange rate) project. South Africa’s Trade and Industry Minister, Mr. Rob Davies [12] [13] and Dr. Tawfig Fawzan Alrabiah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Commerce & Trade officiated at the ceremony, at the site, which will provide enough power to supply more than 200,000 homes. [14] [15]

Speaking at the launch, Minister Davies said the Bokpoort project is the largest investment by a Saudi company, ACWA Power and needs to be celebrated as it instills confidence in government’s long-term infrastructure roll out and also strengthens relations between the two countries. "This project has a major socio-economic development impact for the Northern Cape and South Africa. Through the bid window process the overall prices of energy have become very competitive. The design of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement Program (REIPPP) is intended to leverage the investment in the energy sector to contribute to industrialization of the local economy," said Davies.

50 MW Bokpoort Concentrated Solar Power CSP Launch on 16 March 2016 Group Bokpoort CSP Launch Group 16th March 2016.jpg
50 MW Bokpoort Concentrated Solar Power CSP Launch on 16 March 2016 Group

Commercial operation

The CEO for Bokpoort CSP, Mr Ryno Lacock was proud to announce that on 27 November 2017, the plant clocked production of 1009.31 MWh in a single day. This is the highest production ever over a single 24 hour period. The previous record was 999.13 MWh on 28 November 2016 which fell just short of the "Sweet Spot" of 1000 MWh per day which is equivalent to 20 hours of full load operations (with a 50MW turbine and a 9.3 hour storage system) akin to base-load technologies. [16]

Financing

In December 2020, Afrik21.africa reported that Acwa Power Solafrica Bokpoort, the SPV company that owns and operates the power station had refinanced the power station to the tune of ZAR:5 billion (US$334 million). The long list of lenders in the syndicated loan included: (1) Investec Bank (2) Absa Group Limited (3) Rand Merchant Bank (4) Omsfin (5) Sanlam and (6) Futuregrowth. [17]

Awards winning project

"2013 Renewable Deal of the Year for the Middle East and Africa region" award by Thomson Reuters' Project Finance International (PFI) to Bokpoort CSP. PFI-Bokpoort Awards Feb 2014 3a.jpg
"2013 Renewable Deal of the Year for the Middle East and Africa region" award by Thomson Reuters’ Project Finance International (PFI) to Bokpoort CSP.

In 2014 Thomson Reuters’ Project Finance International (PFI) awarded the title "Renewable Deal of the Year for the Middle East and Africa region" to the 50MW Bokpoort concentrated solar power (CSP) project developed by the ACWA Power consortium.[ citation needed ]

The South African National Energy Association has announced ACWA Power SolAfrica Bokpoort CSP plant as the Best Energy Project of the Year 2016 on 16 September at the SANEA / SANEDI Awards ceremony in Sandton. The 50MW CSP plant in Northern Cape was considered as the industry’s pioneering project in the renewable energy sector. The project was also recognised as the industry benchmark for utilizing renewable energy deployment for socio-economic development through focused investment in local community development. [18]

See also

Related Research Articles

Solar power in the European Union

Solar power in the European Union consists of photovoltaics (PV) and solar thermal energy.

Solana Generating Station Solar thermal power station in Arizona

The Solana Generating Station is a solar power plant near Gila Bend, Arizona, about 70 miles (110 km) southwest of Phoenix, completed in 2013. When commissioned it was the largest parabolic trough plant in the world and the first U.S. solar plant with molten salt thermal energy storage. Built by the Spanish company Abengoa Solar, it has a total capacity of 280 megawatts (MW) gross, from two 140 MW gross (125 MW net) steam turbine generators, which is enough to power 70,000 homes while avoiding around 475,000 tons of CO2 every year. Its name is the Spanish term for "sunny spot".

Concentrated solar power Use of mirror or lens assemblies to heat a working fluid for electricity generation

Concentrated solar power systems generate solar power by using mirrors or lenses to concentrate a large area of sunlight onto a receiver. Electricity is generated when the concentrated light is converted to heat, which drives a heat engine connected to an electrical power generator or powers a thermochemical reaction.

Solar power tower Structure containing the furnace, the focal point for concentrated sunlight, and plumbing

A solar power tower, also known as 'central tower' power plant or 'heliostat' power plant, is a type of solar furnace using a tower to receive focused sunlight. It uses an array of flat, movable mirrors to focus the sun's rays upon a collector tower. Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) systems are seen as one viable solution for renewable, pollution-free energy.

SolarReserve was a developer of utility-scale solar power projects which include Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and Photovoltaic (PV) technology. The company has commercialized solar thermal energy storage technology that enables solar power tower CSP plants to deliver electricity day and night. In this technology, a molten salt is used to capture the energy from the sun and store it. When electricity is needed, the stored liquid salt is used to turn water into steam to turn a turbine and generate electricity.

eSolar

eSolar is a privately held company that develops concentrating solar power (CSP) plant technology. The company was founded by the Pasadena-based business incubator Idealab in 2007 as a developer of CSP plant technology. The company aims to develop a low cost alternative to fossil fuels through a combination of small heliostats, modular architecture, and a high-precision sun-tracking system. In October 2017, an article in GreenTech Media suggested that eSolar ceased business in late 2016.

Mojave Solar Project

The Mojave Solar Project (MSP) is a concentrated solar power (CSP) facility in the Mojave Desert in California, about 20 miles (32 km) northwest of Barstow. Surrounding the hamlet of Lockhart, Mojave Solar is adjacent to Harper Lake and the SEGS VIII–IX solar plant.

Solar power in South Africa Overview of the use of solar power in South Africa

Solar power in South Africa includes photovoltaics (PV) as well as concentrated solar power (CSP). In 2016, South Africa had 1,329 MW of installed solar power capacity. Installed capacity is expected to reach 8,400 MW by 2030.

Solar power in Morocco

Solar power in Morocco is enabled by the country having one of the highest rates of solar insolation among other countries— about 3,000 hours per year of sunshine but up to 3,600 hours in the desert. Morocco has launched one of the world’s largest solar energy projects costing an estimated $9 billion. The aim of the project is to create 2,000 megawatts of solar generation capacity by the year 2020. Five solar power stations are to be constructed, including both photovoltaic and concentrated solar power technology. The Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy (MASEN), a public-private venture, has been established to lead the project. The first plant will be commissioned in 2015, and the entire project in 2020. Once completed, the solar project will provide 38% of Morocco’s annual electricity generation.

Khi Solar One

Khi Solar One (KSO) is a solar power tower solar thermal power plant, located in the Northern Cape Region of South Africa. Khi Solar One is 50 megawatts (MW), and is the first solar tower plant in Africa. It covers an area of 140 hectares.

Ouarzazate Solar Power Station Concentrated solar power station in Drâa-Tafilalet, Morocco

Ouarzazate Solar Power Station (OSPS), also called Noor Power Station is a solar power complex and auxiliary diesel fuel system located in the Drâa-Tafilalet region in Morocco, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from Ouarzazate town, in Ghessat rural council area. At 510 MW, it is the world's largest concentrated solar power (CSP) plant. With an additional 72 MW photovoltaic system the entire project is planned to produce 582 MW at peak when finished. It is being built in three phases and in four parts. The total project's estimated cost is around $2.5 billion.

ACWA Power

ACWA Power is a developer, investor, co-owner and operator of a portfolio of power generation and desalinated water production plants currently with presence in 10 countries including in the Middle East and North Africa, Southern Africa and South East Asia regions. ACWA Power’s portfolio, with an investment value in excess of USD 33 billion, can generate more than 22 GW of power and produce 2.5 million m3/day of desalinated water to be delivered on a bulk basis to state utilities and industrial majors on long term off-take contracts under Public-Private-Partnership, Concession and Utility Services Outsourcing models (BOO/BOOT).

Cerro Dominador Solar Thermal Plant Chilean electrical plant

Cerro Dominador Solar Power Plant is a 210-megawatt (MW) combined concentrated solar power and photovoltaic plant located in the commune of María Elena in the Antofagasta Region of Chile, about 24 kilometres (15 mi) west-northwest of Sierra Gorda. The project was approved by the Chilean government in 2013 and construction was started by Abengoa Solar Chile, a branch of the multinational Abengoa Spain. The plant was inaugurated on June 8, 2021. A follow up project called Likana Solar bid $33.99/MWh in an auction in August 2021.

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park Solar park in the Emirate of Dubai

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is a solar park spread over a total area of 77 km2 in Saih Al-Dahal, about 50 kilometers south of the city of Dubai. It is one of the world's largest renewable projects based on an independent power producer (IPP) model. Besides solar farms using PV technology, the long-term project will also include concentrating solar power (CSP). The total capacity of the entire project is planned to reach 3,000 megawatts.

Redstone Solar Thermal Power (RSTP) is a solar power tower with molten salt energy storage, located in Postmasburg, near Kimberley, in the Northern Cape Region of South Africa. Redstone will have a capacity of 100 megawatts (MW) to deliver power to 200,000 people and was awarded in bid window 3.5 of the REIPPP at a strike price of 122.3 ZAR/KWh including time of day pricing in 2015. The project was initially based on the technology of now bankrupt Solar Reserve, but was delayed for several years because the PPA was not signed by Eskom until 2018. After the project was revived the plant is now under construction and the technology will be provided by Brightsource and John Cockerill, as demonstrated in the Noor Energy 1 project in the UAE.

Aurora Solar Thermal Power Project was a planned solar power tower solar thermal power plant to be located north of Port Augusta in South Australia. It was planned to generate 150 MW of electricity after it was completed in 2020. Storage capacity would have been up to 8 hours at full power. The facility was expected to produce 495 GWh of electricity annually. It was to be 30 kilometres (19 mi) north of Port Augusta on Carriewerloo Station.

Kathu Solar Park is a concentrated solar power (CSP) thermal energy power plant, located near Kathu in the Northern Cape province of South Africa.

The Karoshoek Solar One Power Station, also Karoshoek Concentrated Solar Power Station, is a 100 megawatts concentrated solar power plant in South Africa. The solar component of this power station comprises curved mirrors that heat a fluid to a high temperature. The hot fluid is used to heat water, creating steam. The steam then "drives a steam turbine to convert the energy into electricity". That part of the power station is complemented by molten salt thermal storage technology, which "allows five hours of energy storage, enabling the plant to continue producing electricity in the absence of sunlight", supplying energy during South African peak hours. The consortium that owns the solar farm comprises foreign and domestic independent power producers (IPPs) and local and international financiers and other investors. A 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA), between the owners and Eskom, the South African electric utility company, governs the sale of the generated energy to Eskom, the off-taker. The power station achieved commercial commissioning in November 2018.

References

  1. ↑ "Bokpoort CSP Project". energy.org.za. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  2. ↑ "Groundbreaking ceremony for Bokpoort CSP plant in South Africa has been held". csp-world.com. 25 September 2013. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  3. ↑ "One million South Africans receiving power from world's largest storage solar farm". Times Live. 17 December 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  4. ↑ "Bokpoort CSP Plant - Crowie Concessions" . Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  5. ↑ ACWA Power. "Bokpoort Generation Record". Archived from the original on 26 April 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  6. ↑ "Metier sells stake in 50 MW Bokpoort Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) to Revego". African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association. 29 April 2021. Archived from the original on 16 June 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  7. ↑ "Construction starts on Bokpoort CSP plant". Engineering News. 2 August 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  8. ↑ "Bokpoort CSP plant wins South African National Energy Association prize". 26 September 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  9. ↑ "!Kheis loveLife Y-Centre | New loveLife Trust" . Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  10. ↑ "Engineering News - Northern Cape concentrated solar power farm reaches full capacity". www.engineeringnews.co.za. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  11. ↑ "Bokpoort CSP operating at full capacity". www.bizcommunity.com. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  12. ↑ Launch of Bokpoort Concentrated Solar Plant , retrieved 30 December 2019
  13. ↑ "Media Statements". www.thedti.gov.za. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  14. ↑ "Bokpoort concentrated solar plant inaugurated". www.energy.org.za. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  15. ↑ Theron, Ashley (15 March 2016). "CSP plant illuminates Bokpoort community at official inauguration". ESI-Africa.com. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  16. ↑ "Bokpoort Breaks A Solar Thermal Energy Production Record -". 7 December 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  17. ↑ Jean Marie Takouleu (18 December 2020). "South Africa: Acwa Power refurbishes its Bokpoort thermodynamic solar power station". Arik21.africa. Paris, France. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  18. ↑ "ACWA Power SolAfrica Bokpoort CSP Project named Best Renewable Energy Project of the Year at the South African National Energy Association (SANEA) Awards". ACWA Power SolAfrica Bokpoort CSP Project named Best Renewable Energy Project of the Year at the South African National Energy Association (SANEA) Awards. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.