Power and automation group ABB has entered into an agreement with independent solar energy plant company, FG Emvelo to develop concentrating solar facilities in South Africa.
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The plants will be in Karoshoek Solar Valley in Northern Cape province and use the ABB-Novatec Solar turnkey concept, which reduces the need for land by 40% and water consumption by 80%.
FG Emvelo managing director Florian Fritsch said: "With [ABB’s] collaboration and the use of linear Fresnel technology, we will be able to take significant steps towards achieving our goal of a solar ‘Silicon Valley’ at Karoshoek."
The collectors use flat glass mirrors to reflect solar energy onto a receiver, in which water is vaporised directly to produce superheated steam at temperatures of up to 500oC.
The direct steam technology operates without thermo oil or any other toxic heat transfer medium.
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By GlobalDataBenefits of the concept include the automated mass production of key components in local production facilities, a fast assembly process, highly efficient land use and a robotic cleaning system, which uses very little water.
Photo: Collectors will use flat glass mirrors to reflect solar energy into a receiver. Image: courtesy of ABB.
