On Thursday, the Ivanpah thermal thermal power plant began operating in California’s Mojave Desert. The $2.2 billion power-generating plant covers an area of 3,500 acres and has over 300,000 mirrors that reflect sunlight onto boilers located on top of three towers. BrightSource Energy, Inc. claims it’s the biggest solar thermal power station in the world. The plant’s three 450-foot high towers are capable of producing up to 392 megawatts (MW) of solar power, enough to provide the electricity needs of 140,00 Californian homes “with clean energy and avoid 400,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year, equal to removing 72,000 vehicles off the road.” The Ivanpah solar thermal power plant, known as the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System, is a joing venture between Google, NRG and BrightSource Energy. On the final day of 2013., the project was in commercial operation. It had received a $1.6 billion loan guarantee from US Department of Energy. Loan guarantees are guarantors who promise to pay the debt in the event of default. Ivanpah Solar Electric Generation plant. Nearly one-third of the total solar thermal power produced in America is generated by Ivanpah. This is the world’s largest solar thermal power project. NRG Solar president Tom Doyle said that it is the largest project of its kind in the world. NRG continues to offer a wide range of technologies and solutions to help the U.S. achieve its ultimate goal. Pacific Gas & Electric is purchasing Units 1 & 3 of Ivanpah’s electricity, and Southern California Edison will purchase Unit 2 of Ivanpah energy under a similar agreement. Director of sustainability and energy at Google Rick Needham said, “Congratulations Ivanpah for their commercial success.” Google invests in renewable energy projects with the potential for transforming the energy system and providing more power to homes and businesses around the globe. Ivanpah, a shining example, is such an impressive project, and we are delighted to be part of it,” David Ramm (chairman and CEO at BrightSource Energy) said that “this exciting culmination is many years worth of hard work and dedication by all our partners at Ivanpah. This world-class solar thermal project has been completed. It is an important moment in the history of solar thermal energy. BrightSource’s solar power technology has been demonstrated at large scale with all three units now providing power according to customer specifications. It is an excellent start to 2014,, as BrightSource is increasingly focusing on international markets. Also, other technologies are now less expensive than solar thermal power. This happens often in large projects. During construction time new technologies also emerge. Experts are skeptical that Ivanpah’s plant will continue to be constructed as there is a variety of solar technology options available. It is highly unlikely we will ever see new solar thermal power plants due to the disappearance of federal funding for renewable energy projects and natural gas plants which are cheaper to construct. Natural-gas fired plants cost approximately $1 ,000 for every megawatt, compared with $5 ,500 Ivanpah’s. Since the Ivanpah Project in 2010, began, traditional solar panels’ prices have fallen significantly. This makes solar thermal comparatively more costly today. BrightSource Energy Inc. was unable to obtain permits in California for any other solar thermal project. This is partly due to concerns that extreme heat and energy could cause the death of local birds.
