ESolar

Last updated
eSolar
Company typeVenture backed private
IndustryConcentrating Solar Power Technology and Engineering
Founded2007
Headquarters Burbank, California, United States
Key people
John Van Scoter (President & CEO)
Bill Gross (Founder)
Website www.eSolar.com

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. [1]

Contents

Technology

Heliostat design

eSolar has designed heliostats that are smaller than the industry norm, allowing for pre-fabrication, mass-manufacturing, and easy installation, thereby reducing production and installation costs. eSolar announced a new heliostat design, referred to as SCS5, during the 2013 SolarPACES Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. SCS5 offers a more simplified design and enhanced reliability to reduce total installed solar collector system cost by more than a third. [2]

Sun-tracking software

eSolar has developed a sun-tracking control system that is able to calibrate heliostats and monitor the performance of each heliostat within the field. Tests have shown an unprecedented pointing accuracy and high thermal concentration ratios. [citation]

Power tower and electricity generation

An array of heliostats reflect solar radiation to a tower-mounted thermal receiver. In the direct-steam configuration, the concentrated solar energy boils water in the receiver to produce steam. The steam is piped to a steam turbine generator, which converts the energy to electricity. The steam out of the turbine is condensed and pressurized back into the receiver. In the molten salt configuration, the concentrated solar energy heats molten salt to store thermal energy for future use. [3]

Module

eSolar's field layout design is built around the concept of scalable modules. In the direct-steam configuration, each module comprises over 20,000 square meters [4] of heliostats arranged in two subfields – north and south – which track the sun and concentrate solar energy to the tower mounted receiver. The field layout is a simple, regular design that eliminates precision surveying and ground penetration. In the molten salt configuration a hexagonal solar field consists of over 100,000 square meters of reflector area. [4]

A 46 MW eSolar power unit consists of sixteen heliostat fields and towers, a single steam turbine generator set, and a steam condenser, with a typical footprint of approximately 100 hectares (250 acres). These basic 46 MW units are designed to be scaled up to fit specific power requirements. In the molten salt configuration, 10 modules may be aggregated to build a 100MW, 50% capacity factor solar power plant. [4] Plants of various electric output and capacity factor may be assembled through use or varying numbers of molten salt modules. [4]

Sierra SunTower

The Sierra SunTower power plant in Lancaster, California. Sierra SunTower Power Plant.jpg
The Sierra SunTower power plant in Lancaster, California.

In the summer of 2009, eSolar unveiled the 5 MW Sierra SunTower plant, a commercial facility in Lancaster, California that demonstrated the company's technology. Sierra SunTower is interconnected to the Southern California Edison (SCE) grid and, in spring 2010, it was the only commercial CSP tower facility in North America. As of mid-August, 2018, the two towers that were the center of the facility are no longer standing. The plant, however, is still present.

Sierra SunTower included two eSolar modules. 24,000 heliostats, divided between four sub-fields, tracked the sun and focussed its energy onto two tower-mounted receivers. The focused heat converted feedwater piped to the receivers into superheated steam that drove a reconditioned 1947 GE turbine generator to produce electricity. The steam passed through a steam condenser, reverted to water through cooling, and the process repeated.

During the 12 months of construction, Sierra SunTower created over 300 temporary jobs. In operation, the site employed 21 permanent employees.

Sierra Suntower was certified by the California Energy Commission as a renewable energy facility. Power from the facility is sold under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with SCE, providing renewable energy for up to 4,000 homes.[ citation needed ]

The 5 MW output from Sierra SunTower reduced CO2 emissions by 7,000 tons per year, an amount equivalent to planting 5,265 acres (21.31 km2) of trees, removing 1,368 automobiles from the road, or saving 650,000 gallons of gasoline.[ citation needed ]

However, in 2015, the Sierra SunTower was shut down for commercial operation, as it was deemed to be too costly to operate except on the sunniest of days. Thus, it served to show the real-world problems, and unpredictable nature, of concentrated solar power. [5]

Performance Data from US Treasury Dept.- Performance Report and Certification Form

The eSolar Sierra SunTower generated 539 MWh (MegaWatt-hour) of electricity from August 1, 2010, to July 31, 2011. A total of 539 MWh of gross electrical energy has been generated at Sierra during the period Aug 1, 2010 and July 31, 2011. [6] This is approximately 12.6% of the expected power generation of the initial estimate of 4270 MWh, a dismal result.

Production

Generation (MW·h) of Sierra SunTower Solar Gen Station [7]
YearJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecTotal
20101133147667573655324208476
2011012172734433738262177270
201222357821131221058378613123780
2013000000000009494
20140000000000000
Total1,620


Molten salt-based solar plant

eSolar, with its partner, Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, has been working on the design of a modular molten salt-based concentrating solar power plant since 2010. With the support from the U. S. Department of Energy, the companies try to come up with a design for plants with flexibility of the sizes from 50 to 200 MW by replicating the basic module without a redesign. Each module uses hexagonal heliostat field to reflect sunlight to the salt-in-tube external thermal receiver on top of the tower at the center. With many modules working together, the receivers heat the 285 °C cold salt input and return 565 °C hot salt to centrally located storage. The hot salt will then be used in the generator system to generate electricity. The new system incorporates the experience from the Sierra SunTower which uses a Babcock & Wilcox's water-based receiver, and the finding from the Solar Two project. [8]

Partnerships

NRG

NRG Energy, Inc. partnered with eSolar in February 2009 to develop solar power plants with a total generation capacity of up to 500 MW at sites within California and across the Southwestern United States. Additionally, NRG invested approximately $10 million for equity and associated development rights for three projects and a portfolio of PPAs to develop, build, own, and operate up to 11 eSolar modular solar generating units at these sites. The development assets will use eSolar's concentrating solar power (CSP) technology to sell renewable electricity under contracted PPAs with local utilities seeking competitively priced, zero-carbon solar power. [9]

Penglai Electric

In January 2010, eSolar announced a partnership with Penglai Electric, a privately owned Chinese electrical power equipment manufacturer, to build 2,000 MW of solar thermal power plants in China by 2021. [10]

The deal represents China's largest CSP project to date (Spring 2010) and has a total potential capital investment of more than $5 billion. Under the master licensing agreement, Penglai Electric will use eSolar's solar thermal technology. The first plant of 92 MW will break ground in 2010. The plants will be co-located with biomass electricity generation facilities, together eliminating 15 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. [11]

It appears that this partnership is no longer progressing. [12]

Ferrostaal

In February 2010, Ferrostaal, a global power and industrial plant developer, partnered with eSolar to deploy turnkey solar power plants in countries including Spain, the United Arab Emirates, and South Africa. Under the partnership, eSolar will provide solar field and receiver technology, while Ferrostaal will supply the power block, act as general contractor, and manage financing activities. [13]

General Electric

In August 2011 General Electric (GE) made a strategic investment of up to $40 million in eSolar. [14]

Aalborg CSP A/S

In December 2014, eSolar was awarded a commercial contract by Aalborg CSP to provide a solar collector system (SCS) solution for the Sundrop Farms Port Augusta expansion project. [15] This expansion will increase the greenhouses by 20 hectares in support of a 10-year tomato supply contract with Coles. [16]

Recognition and awards

When eSolar's Sierra SunTower was unveiled in August 2009, California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger praised the company for, "...proving that California's energy and environmental leadership are advancing carbon-free, cost-effective energy that can be used around the world." [17]

In December 2009, eSolar was honored by the World Economic Forum as a 2010 Technology Pioneer. The award recognizes eSolar's technological innovation and global commitment to delivering a clean, low-cost energy alternative to fossil fuels. [18] An interview with Bill Gross is featured on YouTube where he responds to four questions posed to each of the World Economic Forum's Technology Pioneer 2010 winners. [19]

In December 2009, editors of Power Engineering magazine selected Sierra SunTower as the winner of the "Best Renewable Project", recognizing the facility as an exceptional power generation project toward meeting growing global demand. [20]

In February 2010, Sierra SunTower won Renewable Energy World's "Renewable Project of the Year" award. The award recognized eSolar's achievements in the clean energy industry by naming Sierra SunTower an exceptional breakthrough in the commercialization of solar thermal technology. [21]

In February 2010, eSolar was named one of The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)'s Technology Review's 2010 TR50. The TR50 is a list of the 50 most innovative companies in the world, those that have demonstrated superiority at creating technology that transforms how we live. The 2010 TR50 Archived 2010-05-28 at the Wayback Machine celebrates the development of emerging technologies and the progress made in those already established. eSolar is honored alongside such companies as Google, Apple, Twitter, and IBM. [22]

In March 2010, The Wall Street Journal's first survey of venture-backed clean technology companies featured eSolar as a Top 10 Cleantech Company with the capital, executive experience, and investor know-how to succeed in an increasingly crowded field. [23]

Investors

eSolar has secured over $182 million in investment funds. Investors include Google.org, [24] Oak Investment Partners, NRG Energy, ACME Group, Idealab, and Quercus Trust. [25]

Management

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar thermal energy</span> Technology using sunlight for heat

Solar thermal energy (STE) is a form of energy and a technology for harnessing solar energy to generate thermal energy for use in industry, and in the residential and commercial sectors. Solar thermal collectors are classified by the United States Energy Information Administration as low-, medium-, or high-temperature collectors. Low-temperature collectors are generally unglazed and used to heat swimming pools or to heat ventilation air. Medium-temperature collectors are also usually flat plates but are used for heating water or air for residential and commercial use.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parabolic trough</span> Technology used in concentrated solar power stations

A parabolic trough collector (PTC) is a type of solar thermal collector that is straight in one dimension and curved as a parabola in the other two, lined with a polished metal mirror. The sunlight which enters the mirror parallel to its plane of symmetry is focused along the focal line, where objects are positioned that are intended to be heated. In a solar cooker, for example, food is placed at the focal line of a trough, which is cooked when the trough is aimed so the Sun is in its plane of symmetry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Solar Project</span>

The SOLAR Project consists of the Solar One, Solar Two and Solar Tres solar thermal power plants based in the Mojave Desert, United States and Andalucía, Spain. The US Department of Energy (DOE) and a consortium of US utilities built the country's first two large-scale, demonstration solar power towers in the desert near Barstow, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gemasolar Thermosolar Plant</span> Concentrated solar power plant

Gemasolar is a concentrated solar power plant with a molten salt heat storage system. It is located within the city limits of Fuentes de Andalucía in the province of Seville, Spain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Themis (solar power plant)</span> Solar power station and research and development centre in France

The THEMIS solar power tower is a research and development centre focused on solar energy. It is located near the village of Targasonne, in the department of Pyrénées-Orientales, south of France, 3 kilometres from the world's largest solar furnace in Odeillo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power plants in the Mojave Desert</span> Supplies power to the electricity grid using excellent solar radiation

There are several solar power plants in the Mojave Desert which supply power to the electricity grid. Insolation in the Mojave Desert is among the best available in the United States, and some significant population centers are located in the area. These plants can generally be built in a few years because solar plants are built almost entirely with modular, readily available materials. Solar Energy Generating Systems (SEGS) is the name given to nine solar power plants in the Mojave Desert which were built in the 1980s, the first commercial solar plant. These plants have a combined capacity of 354 megawatts (MW) which made them the largest solar power installation in the world, until Ivanpah Solar Power Facility was finished in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power in Spain</span>

Spain is one of the first countries to deploy large-scale solar photovoltaics, and is the world leader in concentrated solar power (CSP) production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PS10 solar power plant</span> Concentrated solar power station in Spain

The PS10 Solar Power Plant, is the world's first commercial concentrating solar power tower operating near Seville, in Andalusia, Spain. The 11 megawatt (MW) solar power tower produces electricity with 624 large movable mirrors called heliostats. It took four years to build and so far has cost €35 million (US$46 million). PS10 produces about 23,400 megawatt-hours (MW·h) per year, for which it receives €271 (US$360) per MW·h under its power purchase agreement, equating to a revenue of €6.3 million per year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PS20 solar power plant</span> Solar thermal energy plant in Spain

The PS20 solar power plant (PS20) solar power plant is a solar thermal energy plant in Sanlucar la Mayor near Seville in Andalusia, Spain. It was the world's most powerful solar power tower until the Ivanpah Solar Power Facility in California became operational in 2014. The 20 megawatt (MW) solar power tower produces electricity with large movable mirrors called heliostats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Concentrated solar power</span> Use of mirror or lens assemblies to heat a working fluid for electricity generation

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power tower</span> Type of solar furnace with a tower receiving focused light

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.

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A compact linear Fresnel reflector (CLFR) – also referred to as a concentrating linear Fresnel reflector – is a specific type of linear Fresnel reflector (LFR) technology. They are named for their similarity to a Fresnel lens, in which many small, thin lens fragments are combined to simulate a much thicker simple lens. These mirrors are capable of concentrating the sun's energy to approximately 30 times its normal intensity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sierra SunTower</span> Solar power plant in Lancaster, California, U.S.

Sierra SunTower was a 5 MW commercial concentrating solar power (CSP) plant built and operated by eSolar. The plant is located in Lancaster, California. As of mid-September, 2022, the two towers that were the center of the facility are no longer standing. However the rest of the plant is still present.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project</span> Solar power station in Nevada, United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Solar Thermal Test Facility</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ouarzazate Solar Power Station</span> Concentrated solar power station in Drâa-Tafilalet, Morocco

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cerro Dominador Solar Thermal Plant</span> 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.

References

  1. ↑ Deign, Jason (12 October 2017). "Concentrated Solar Power Contender ESolar Goes AWOL". GreenTech Media. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  2. ↑ "SolarPACES 2013: eSolar debuts heliostat, molten salt plant design – Solar Novus Today". www.solarnovus.com.
  3. ↑ OSTI   1025891
  4. 1 2 3 4 Tyner, C.; Wasyluk, D. (2014). "eSolar's Modular, Scalable Molten Salt Power Tower Reference Plant Design". Energy Procedia. 49: 1563–1572. doi: 10.1016/j.egypro.2014.03.165 .
  5. ↑ "eSolar Sierra SunTower: a History of Concentrating Solar Power Underperformance – GUNTHER Portfolio". Guntherportfolio.com. 5 April 2013.
  6. ↑ "eSolar Sierra SunTower: a History of Concentrating Solar Power Underperformance – GUNTHER Portfolio". guntherportfolio.com. 5 April 2013.
  7. ↑ "Sierra SunTower Solar Gen Station, Monthly". Electricity Data Browser. Energy Information Administration . Retrieved March 8, 2017.
  8. ↑ "eSolar's Modular and Scalable Baseload Molten Salt Plant Design and Feasibility Project" (PDF). SunShot Concentrating Solar Power Program Review 2013. SunShot Initiative, U.S. Department of Energy. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
  9. ↑ "eSolar, NRG Energy to build solar power plants". 23 February 2009.
  10. ↑ "ESolar hits it big, becomes first solar thermal player to land China deal". 11 January 2010.
  11. ↑ Woody, Todd (9 January 2010). "Pasadena's ESolar lands 2,000-megawatt deal in China" – via Los Angeles Times.
  12. ↑ "eSolar Concentrating Solar Power Partner Update – GUNTHER Portfolio". guntherportfolio.com. 7 May 2013.
  13. ↑ Woody, Todd (19 February 2010). "California Solar Startup and German Industrial Giant Forge Partnership".
  14. ↑ "GE Invests Up to $40 Million in eSolar, Takes Partnership to Next Level".
  15. ↑ "eSolar Announces Commercial Contract for Product Deployment in Australia".
  16. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-02-24. Retrieved 2015-02-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  17. ↑ "ESolar unveils 5 MW solar tower plant in California". Archived from the original on 2015-02-25. Retrieved 2015-02-24.
  18. ↑ "Terms of Service Violation". Businessweek.com. Archived from the original on December 7, 2009. Retrieved 2018-07-19.
  19. ↑ World Economic Forum (1 December 2009). "Technology Pioneer 2010 – Bill Gross (eSolar)" – via YouTube.
  20. ↑ "2009 Projects of the Year". www.powergenworldwide.com.
  21. ↑ "Excellence in Renewable Energy Award Winners Announced". www.renewableenergyworld.com.
  22. ↑ "MIT's Technology Review Unveils 2010 TR50 List of the World's Most Innovative Companies".
  23. ↑ DeBaise, Colleen (8 March 2010). "And the Top Clean-Tech Companies Are..." Wall Street Journal– via www.wsj.com.
  24. ↑ "Google.org announces progress, confirms $10M in eSolar". 17 January 2008.
  25. ↑ Madrigal, Alexis. "Google-Backed Solar Startup Picks Up Steam, $130 Million". Wired.
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