Copiapó Solar Project

Copiapó Solar Project
Location of Copiapó Solar Project in Chile
Official name Proyecto Copiapó Solar
Country Chile
Location Copiapó, Atacama
Coordinates 27°21′S 70°19′W / 27.350°S 70.317°W / -27.350; -70.317Coordinates: 27°21′S 70°19′W / 27.350°S 70.317°W / -27.350; -70.317
Status Proposed
Commission date 2019 (planned)
Construction cost $2 billion
Owner(s) Copiapó Energía Solar SpA
Solar field
Type CSP
CSP technology Solar power tower
Power generation
Units planned 2 x 120 MW, 1 x 150 MW (PV)
Nameplate capacity 260 MW
Storage capacity 14 hours
Average generation 1,700 GWh
Website
solarreserve.com

The Copiapó Solar Project is a 260 megawatt (MW) net solar thermal power project to be located near Copiapó, about 65 kilometers east of the coastal town of Caldera.[1] The project is being developed by SolarReserve.,[2] and is scheduled to reach commercial operation in 2019.

The Copiapó project will comprise two 120 megawatt (MW, 130 MW gross) solar thermal towers with up to 14 hours thermal storage, combined with 150 MW of PV.[3] The hybrid project will deliver over 1,700 gigawatt hours (GW·h) annually, as non-intermittent baseload power, 24 hours a day. The project uses heliostat mirrors that collect and focus the sun's thermal energy to heat molten salt flowing through a solar power tower. The molten salt circulates from the tower to a storage tank, where it is then used to produce steam and generate electricity. Excess thermal energy is stored in the molten salt and can be used to generate power for up to fourteen hours, including during the evening hours and when direct sunlight is not available. The project's solar tower component technology is based on the SolarReserve Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project in the US.

The project is expected to cost $2 billion,[4]

The Copiapó Solar project was submitted to a full environmental assessment under the Chilean system of Environmental Impact Assessment (SEIA) administered by the Department of Environmental Assessment (SEA), and received an Environmental Qualification Resolution (RCA), as it is called the Chilean environmental permit, on August 19, 2015.[5]

The hybrid concept combines two or more energy conversion mechanisms, that integrated, overcome limitations inherent in either. The purpose is to provide a high level of energy security and reliability through the integrated mix of complementary generation methods.[6][7] Specifically, photovoltaics, to date, has a lower cost if one ignores the dispatchability question, that instead is solved by the solar thermal component.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Solarreserve Obtiene Aprobación Ambiental para Construir una Central de Concentración Solar de 260 MW" (Press release). PR Newswire Association LLC. August 20, 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  2. ↑ RECEIVES ENVIRONMENTAL APPROVAL FOR 260 MEGAWATT BASELOAD SOLAR PLANT IN 20CHILE.pdf "SolarReserve Receives Environmental Approval for 260 Megawatt Baseload Solar Plant in Chile" Check |url= value (help) (PDF). SolarReserve, LLC. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  3. ↑ "COPIAPÓ, ATACAMA REGION, CHILE". SolarReserve, LLC. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  4. ↑ "Chile approves 260 MW solar power plant". Power Engineering International. August 24, 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  5. ↑ "TABLA SESIÓN ORDINARIA N° 12/2015 COMISIÓN DE EVALUACIÓN REGIÓN DE ATACAMA". Servicio de Evaluación Ambiental. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  6. ↑ "CSP & PV Hybrid Plants Gain Sway In Chile". CleanTechnica, Sustainable Enterprises Media, Inc. April 2, 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  7. ↑ "Chile: a sun mine about to be exploited". CSP Today, FC Business Intelligence Limited. October 10, 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2015.

External links

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