Just like the 44MW “solar boost” of the coal fired Kogan Creek power station (owned by CS Energy) announced a couple of months ago this too is a CS Energy power station.
This time it’s 250MW and is also using the CLFR (Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector) technology owned by Areva (formerly developed in Australian by David Mills and commercialized in the US by Ausra) and will have gas fired “backup” so is a solar thermal gas hybrid.
See also http://solardawn.com.au/ and
http://solardawn.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/7546_ARES-SOLAR-DAWN-FACTSHEET_laser_FINAL.pdf
From http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=75333
Premier and Minister for Reconstruction
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Saturday June 18 2011
World-leading solar thermal power project a coup for Queensland
A 250 megawatt solar thermal gas hybrid power plant proposed for Chinchilla will be one of the world’s largest and most greenhouse-friendly renewable energy projects Premier Anna Bligh said today.
The Premier welcomed today’s announcement by Prime Minister Julia Gillard that the Commonwealth would commit $464 million to Queensland’s Solar Dawn project from round one of the Commonwealth’s $1.5 billion Solar Flagships Program.
The State Government has committed $75 million to the project.
“This is a coup for Queensland and a tremendous boost to our reputation as Australia’s Solar State” Ms Bligh said.
“It will harness clean energy from the sun combined with a low-emission gas boiler to produce clean reliable power to meet Queensland’s growing energy demand.
“Solar Dawn will be the largest power station in the world using this type of solar thermal technology and be among the biggest solar plants worldwide – making Queensland a truly solar state.
“What’s more the project will create up to 300 jobs during its construction.”
The Solar Dawn project is being led by AREVA Solar – a global solar steam designer and manufacturer – and Wind Prospect CWP.
Government agencies will work with the projects’ proponents to address any challenges including environmental and tenure approvals strategic cropping land infrastructure corridor and vegetation issues.
Solar Dawn will use AREVA Solar’s Australian-pioneered Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector (CLFR) technology at its proposed 250 megawatt Chinchilla power plant.
Modular flat mirrors or reflectors focus the sun’s heat onto elevated “receivers” that enclose a system of boiler tubes through which water flows.
The concentrated sunlight boils the water in the tubes directly generating high-pressure superheated steam which powers a steam turbine generator to produce electricity.
The plant would have the added benefit of a gas boiler back-up system so electricity can be provided at any time even when the sun isn’t shining.
The Premier said it made sense for Solar Dawn to construct its power plant near Chinchilla in South-West Queensland.
“It would be close to CS Energy’s 750 megawatt Kogan Creek Power Station and also near Powerlink Queensland’s Western Downs Substation which provides direct connection to Queensland’s electricity grid” she said.
The project will start construction next year and be completed in 2015.
Premier’s Office – 07 3224 4500