A little-known $15 billion deal between PG&E and the Department of Energy is raising concerns for California residents. The agreement, which will expand hydropower, also includes shutting down the Ivanpah solar plant, which has been providing energy to 140,000 homes.

Without this reliable source of clean energy, California’s already overburdened power grid will struggle, leading to higher energy costs and more frequent blackouts. Critics argue that while PG&E benefits financially, everyday Californians will be left paying the price with increased bills and an even less reliable power system.

Questions are also being raised about possible conflicts of interest with key players in the deal, making it even more controversial. We spoke with one of the main investors of the $2.2 billion Ivanpah plant to learn more.

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In the final days of the Biden administration, a major energy deal quietly unfolded that could have long-lasting consequences for California’s power grid and taxpayers. A $15 billion loan guarantee from the Department of Energy (DOE) to Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) for hydropower expansion has raised concerns about energy reliability, cost, and who ultimately pays the price. This deal, which has been largely unreported, suggests that the Biden administration orchestrated a backroom agreement that benefits PG&E while undermining California’s already fragile grid.

The heart of the issue lies in PG&E’s agreement to buy out Ivanpah’s power purchase agreement (PPA), which will result in the shutdown of the Ivanpah solar plant, a major renewable energy facility. With Ivanpah’s closure, the 140,000 homes it powers will have to rely on the already overburdened grid, especially during peak demand hours. This will further strain the grid at times when energy consumption is highest, leading to more frequent blackouts and an even less reliable power system for California.

Related: what we can learn from Ivanpah’s failure

What’s more concerning is that the energy PG&E will lose from Ivanpah, which can be one of the most affordable sources of power during peak demand, will need to be replaced by energy purchased from the market. However, PG&E’s market purchases are expected to come at a significantly higher cost. These increased costs are likely to be passed on to ratepayers, ultimately negating any supposed savings from the deal and potentially causing long-term rate increases for California consumers. The decision to shut down Ivanpah not only jeopardizes energy reliability but also threatens to undermine the state’s clean energy transition.

A better alternative would have been for the DOE to restructure Ivanpah’s loan, allowing the facility to remain operational while investing in energy storage technologies to help meet peak demand. “Ivanpah  produces power for 140,000 homes, and has been a reliable source of energy for California residents for over a decade,” said Neal Lee, Vice President of CMB, one of the lead investors in the Ivanpah project to Green Prophet.

Related: Why the Collapse of a $2.2 Billion Solar Dream Threatens the Future of Renewable Energy

“We applaud the Trump Administration’s efforts to unleash the full power of American energy, and rectify the bad deals the previous administration struck that will take energy off the grid. We look forward to working with Secretary Wright to help implement his all-of-the-above energy strategy, and are excited to continue our work with the Department to find more ways to provide affordable, reliable energy during high-demand hours.

“Continued innovation in this plant will expand its capacity and its lifespan, and ensure it powers homes in a state that needs it long into the future,” he added.

Adding to the complexity of this story is the recent hiring of former Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm to the board of Southern California Edison (SCE), which receives energy from the Ivanpah plant, says an undisclosed source close to the deal.

“We’re thrilled she is joining our boards, and we look forward to the guidance she will provide based on her understanding of the technical, political and economic forces shaping our industry today.” said Pedro J. Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International, in a statement.

This move raises questions about possible conflicts of interest, given Granholm’s involvement in shaping energy policy during her tenure as Secretary, alludes an advisor working with Lee. “Her new role with SCE has prompted concerns that her influence may have played a role in orchestrating deals like the one between PG&E and the DOE, potentially prioritizing the interests of private energy companies over those of California’s residents,” the source says.

At the heart of this issue is the fact that, while PG&E stands to benefit from the loan guarantee and the Ivanpah deal, it is California’s taxpayers and residents who are left to bear the costs. The shutdown of Ivanpah will weaken the state’s energy infrastructure, could increase the likelihood of blackouts, and may ultimately raise electricity prices. PG&E is under no obligation to replace Ivanpah’s energy at a cost-effective rate, meaning ratepayers are likely to feel the financial strain for years to come. The deal appears to be a short-term gain for PG&E, but at the expense of long-term energy reliability and affordability for California residents, says our source.

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CMB holds the equity position in Solar Partners that was originally owned by BrightSource (now Kelvin Energy). Solar Partners is a larger group that includes NRG, Google, and Kelvin, all of which own and operate the Ivanpah power plant. CMB is also one of the primary investors in Kelvin Energy, which holds a 13% stake in Solar Partners. In short, CMB is involved both in owning part of the Ivanpah power plant through Solar Partners and as a major investor in Kelvin Energy.

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In recent years, the Middle East has become a focal point for sustainable energy initiatives, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the forefront of pioneering projects as it divests away from oil and natural gas. Among these initiatives, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park stands as a testament to Dubai’s commitment to clean energy. This massive undertaking aligns with the UAE’s ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, as outlined in the ongoing Cop28 climate conference in Dubai.

On December 7, 2023, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the rule of Dubai officially inaugurated the world’s largest concentrated solar park. This momentous occasion marked the completion of the fourth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, representing a significant stride towards Dubai’s clean energy aspirations.

With a staggering investment of Dh15.78 billion (USD 4.3 billion), the fourth phase covers an expansive area of 44 square kilometers. Boasting a remarkable capacity of 2.8GW a new addition of 950 MW will provide renewable energy to approximately 320,000 households in the UAE. More impressively, it is expected to contribute to an annual reduction of carbon emissions by an estimated 1.6 million tonnes.

Key Features of the Fourth Phase

The fourth phase of this CSP plant introduces features that underscore Dubai’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of renewable energy technology. Notably, it features the world’s tallest solar tower, standing at over 263 meters, and a record-setting thermal energy storage capacity of 5,907 MWh. This innovative approach reflects the convergence of three hybrid technologies – 600 MW from a parabolic basin complex, 100 MW from the tower, and 250 MW from photovoltaic (PV) solar panels.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid highlighted the significance of the solar park in achieving sustainability goals, emphasizing its role in the global effort to combat climate change. This sentiment resonates with the objectives of the Cop28 climate conference, where nations gather to discuss strategies for mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Strategic Importance and Global Leadership

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is a pivotal element of Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and Net-Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050. These strategic roadmaps aim to achieve 100 percent energy production from clean sources by the middle of the century. Spearheaded by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), the solar park is set to reach a total capacity of 5,000 MW and reduce carbon emissions by 6.5 million tonnes annually upon its completion in 2030.

The fourth phase has already commissioned 717 MW, incorporating over 790,000 PV solar panels and integrating 70,000 mirrors that dynamically track the sun’s movement.

Noor Energy 1, a consortium led by DEWA and Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power, played a pivotal role in designing, building, and operating the fourth phase. This collaboration further solidifies Dubai’s status at the forefront of the clean energy revolution, showcasing its commitment to sustainable development and global leadership in the renewable energy sector.

The differences between CSP and PV solar

Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and Photovoltaic (PV) solar technologies are distinct approaches to collecting solar energy. CSP systems concentrate sunlight using mirrors or lenses to generate heat, which is then used to produce steam and drive turbines for electricity generation. This technology is particularly effective in areas with high direct sunlight, offering the advantage of energy storage capabilities through the use of thermal storage systems.

On the other hand, PV solar systems convert sunlight directly into electricity through the photovoltaic effect, where semiconductor materials in solar cells generate an electric current when exposed to sunlight. PV technology is versatile, scalable, and widely applicable, making it suitable for various installations, from small residential rooftop systems to large-scale solar farms. PV systems do not require water for operation, making them well-suited for arid regions.

Successful CSP plants around the world

Several large Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) installations around the world showcase the immense potential of this technology in harnessing solar energy for electricity generation.

1. Ivanpah Solar Power Facility, USA: Located in the Mojave Desert in California, Ivanpah is one of the largest CSP installations globally. With a capacity of 392 megawatts (MW), it utilizes three centralized solar thermal power plants to produce electricity by focusing sunlight on tower-mounted receivers.
2. Noor Complex, Morocco: The Noor Complex in Ouarzazate is a series of CSP plants, with Noor III being the standout. It has a capacity of 150 MW and employs a solar power tower technology to generate electricity. The entire Noor Complex is expected to have a total capacity of 580 MW.
3. Solana Generating Station, USA: Situated in Arizona, Solana has a capacity of 280 MW. It utilizes parabolic trough technology with thermal energy storage, allowing it to provide electricity even when the sun is not shining.
4. Ilanga-1, South Africa: Ilanga-1, located near Upington, has a capacity of 100 MW. It uses parabolic trough technology and contributes to South Africa’s efforts to increase renewable energy capacity.
5. Shouhang Dunhuang, China: The Shouhang Dunhuang project in Gansu Province, China, is a 100 MW molten salt tower CSP installation. It incorporates advanced energy storage technologies, enhancing its ability to supply electricity consistently.
6. Israel’s Ashalim Power Station is a notable CSP plant. Combining parabolic troughs and a solar tower, it has a capacity of 300 MW, contributing substantially to Israel’s renewable energy goals.

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When Morocco’s King Mohammed VI inaugurated the facility, he also officially launched Noor II and Noor III. According to Climate Investment Funds (CIF), the Noor I project cost nearly US$1 billion, exceeding an original estimate of US$820 million. Financing came from CIF, The World Bank, and the African Development Bank, and was also backed by Moroccan government guarantees. Undisclosed energy subsidies from the king will keep costs from being transferred to energy consumers.

“The returns on investment will be significant for the country and its people, by enhancing energy security, creating a cleaner environment, and encouraging new industries,” World Bank Country Director for the Maghreb, Marie Francoise Marie-Nelly said in a press release.

The World Bank predicts that the plant will bring down the industry-wide CSP costs, but the future of the technology is uncertain given rapid price decline in solar photovoltaics (PV). The plant’s cost is around US$6 per watt, whereas utility-scale solar PV projects are coming in below US$2 per watt. The recent bankruptcy of the largest global CSP developer, Spain’s Abengoa, has further undermined interest in future CSP investments. That said, the technology is well-suited for harnessing the desert’s solar energy.

The Guardian wrote about the project last October, stating,””The potential for solar power from the desert has been known for decades. In the days after the Chernobyl nuclear accident in 1986 the German particle physicist Gerhard Knies, calculated that the world’s deserts receive enough energy in a few hours to provide for humanity’s power needs for a whole year. The challenge though, has been capturing that energy and transporting it to the population centers where it is required.”

Unlike PV systems, CSP output doesn’t dip when skies are momentarily overcast, and they do not need battery back-up to store energy for nighttime use. The technology works like this: concentrated sunlight hits the mirrors, which heat fluids in a system-wide pipeline, which create steam that, in turn, drives turbines which produce electricity. The Ouarzazate system uses 39-foot-tall parabolic mirrors to focus energy on that pipeline causing fluids to reach temperatures of 739 degrees Fahrenheit.  Surplus heat can be stored in a tank of molten salts for use during nighttime or on overcast days; Noor 1 is designed to keep three hours worth of such storage, which presently is a lower cost alternative to battery storage.

Morocco – similar to Jordan – is not an oil producer, and imports about 97 percent of its energy consumption, according to the World Bank. Investment in renewables reduces reliance on foreign suppliers, secures the nation’s long-term energy supply and reduces the nation’s long-term carbon emissions by millions of tons.

The project spearheads Morocco’s ambition to tap its expansive deserts to become a solar superpower, ultimately aiming to offer energy to the Mediterranean Basic and Europe. Solar energy will make up a thirty-three percent of Morocco’s renewable energy supply by 2020, with hydropower and wind power each providing similar shares.

Morocco’s environment minister, Hakima el-Haite, believes that solar energy could have the same impact on the region this century that oil production had in the last.

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Investments in solar energy innovations are not dead! Remember those weird and wonderful solar energy harvesting tulips planted in Israel and Spain? Seen miles away the sky-high tulips have found a new commercial home – in Ethiopia, the company announced last week in a press statement.

We’ve covered Aora over the years and thought possibly that this CSP, or concentrated solar thermal power innovation didn’t grow. We were wrong.

The Ethiopian Government, looking for resilient off-grid systems, is now piloting Aora’s system for sustainable development.

Aora’s tulips collect solar energy from 50 small mirrors and then focus the energy to heat oil and air, creating pressure to drive turbines in the tulips. The turbines create electricity. The solution runs without steam and water, important for off grid locations where there is no water.

We all may know that Ethiopia has grand ambitions to grow its economy fast and is creating the Renaissance Dam to hold back water from Egypt’s Nile to create hydro power. But even when this goes online, getting the power to the people through the grid can take 20 years or more.

This is where Aora’s solution may help:

Rural communities and villages in Ethiopia, and all over Africa for that matter, have not been able to develop themselves due to inefficient access to electricity. This affects the daily lives of people, from needing power to run schools, hospitals, and industry, to providing refrigeration for food processing and post-harvest storage.

Aora’s solar tulips collecting solar power in Samar, Israel

We see solar power solutions for Africa out there already like Nova Lumos which has a novel business model to provide solar power for phones and limited residential use (individual units). Where people are poor and not able to invest in the one time fee, Nova Lumos lets people pay in increments – for the energy and system through the phone. Read here about how Nova Lumos from Israel puts power pimps out of business in Africa.

Aora however operates on the community or village level, giving electricity even during cloud cover or rainy days where the unit switches seamlessly to biofuels.

Unlike huge CSP systems (think Brightsource – also from Israel) Aora needs less than acre, or  3,500 square meters per module. Each module can provide 100kWh of solar electricity as well as 170kW of thermal power. The system’s heliostats follow the sun.

Built to be off grid the Aora system doesn’t require intensive investment to hook it up to the energy grid, nor does it require expensive energy storage operations since it can be hybrid and run on alternative power when the sun doesn’t shine.

The Aora systems are modular and farms of Aora tulips can be connected to generate larger amounts of power, together.

How Aora solar energy works in residential areas. So pretty!

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9qO33wGgVM[/youtube]

Aora collecting solar power in Almeria, Spain

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Cutting the cost of solar energy, PV and CSP is the reason why last year was a record year for solar energy uptake globally – as we reported.

The Sheffield team found that by spray-painting the perovskite they could make prototype solar cells with efficiency of up to 11 per cent. Lead researcher Professor David Lidzey said: “There is a lot of excitement around perovskite based photovoltaics.

“This study advances existing work where the perovskite layer has been deposited from solution using laboratory scale techniques. It’s a significant step towards efficient, low-cost solar cell devices made using high volume roll-to-roll processing methods.”

Experts from the University’s Department of Physics and Astronomy and Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering have previously used the spray-painting method to produce solar cells using organic semiconductors – but using perovskite is a major step forward.

Efficient organometal halide perovskite based photovoltaics were first demonstrated in 2012. They are now a very promising new material for solar cells as they combine high efficiency with low materials costs.

The spray-painting process wastes very little of the perovskite material and can be scaled to high volume manufacturing – similar to applying paint to cars and graphic printing.

“Remarkably, this class of material offers the potential to combine the high performance of mature solar cell technologies with the low embedded energy costs of production of organic photovoltaics.”

While most solar cells are manufactured using energy intensive materials like silicon, perovskites, by comparison, requires much less energy to make. By spray-painting the perovskite layer in air the team hope the overall energy used to make a solar cell can be reduced further.

Professor Lidzey (pictured above) said: “The best certified efficiencies from organic solar cells are around 10 per cent.

“Perovskite cells now have efficiencies of up to 19 per cent. This is not so far behind that of silicon at 25 per cent – the material that dominates the world-wide solar market.”

He added: “The perovskite devices we have created still use similar structures to organic cells. What we have done is replace the key light absorbing layer – the organic layer – with a spray-painted perovskite.

“Using a perovskite absorber instead of an organic absorber gives a significant boost in terms of efficiency.”

Solar power is becoming an increasingly important component of the world-wide renewables energy market and continues to grow at a remarkable rate despite the difficult economic environment.

Professor Lidzey said: “I believe that new thin-film photovoltaic technologies are going to have an important role to play in driving the uptake of solar-energy, and that perovskite based cells are emerging as likely thin-film candidates. “

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The Institute clocks 2013 a record year for solar energy growth for solar electricity generation as both the photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar thermal power (CSP) markets continued to grow.

Some 39 gigawatts were installed worldwide, and the PV solar market represented one third of all newly-added renewable energy capacity.

Solar PV installations nearly matched those of hydropower and, for the first time, outpaced wind.

Even though photovoltaics still continue to dwarf CSP capacity, the CSP market also had another year of impressive growth. By the end of 2013, a total of 19 countries had CSP plants installed or under construction.

This is matched with consumption of power from PV and CSP plants which increased by 30 percent globally in 2013 to reach 124.8 terawatt-hours.

Who’s using solar power?

Europe accounted for the majority of global solar power consumption (67 percent), followed by Asia (23.9 percent) and North America (8.1 percent).

However, despite the record growth in installations, global investments were down 20 percent (from $142.9 billion in 2012 to $113.7 billion in 2013), reflecting a significant decrease in costs to build solar installations. Not necessarily interest in the area.

This month a global PV module spot price reached an all-time low of $0.63 per watt. For the first time, Asia overtook Europe as the largest regional market.

Prospects are bright, say experts. And in some countries solar power on roofs is less expensive than buying power retail. Australia, Brazil, Denmark, Italy, and Germany lead the way in this regard.

This year 2014 is expected to bring 40-51 gigawatts online.

Below are the country highlights showing the miserable representation from Middle East countries – countries that have the power and capital potential to lead the way. Clearly crisis management, and carbon based fuels of the last 100 years are still the number one priority for most leaders in the Middle East region.

Prove us otherwise!

Country highlights to compare to the sorry state of the MidEast MENA region:

China installed 12.9 gigawatts of PV, the most ever installed in one year by any country.

Europe installed close to 11 GW of PV.

North America added 5.2 GW of PV.

In Central and South America, solar development has been sluggish.

The Middle East and Africa had little PV activity, with the exception of Israel and South Africa, which added 420 MW and 75 MW, respectively.

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The switch was flipped this week as California’s Ivanpah solar thermal power plant went live. The 392 megawatt concentrating solar plant (CSP) is now delivering renewables to power the equivalent of 140,000 homes in California. After a long journey lasting decades of development, fighting regulations, manoeuvring around turtle conservationists, burning birds may be the latest problem.

According to environmentalists, the heat focused from the 350,000 garage-door sized mirrors is incinerating birds that fly in the pathway of the sun’s concentrated rays. State energy officials have put out photos of birds with singed feathers from flying into what is being called the hot ‘thermal flux’ around the towers, with temperatures that can reach 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Like the solar death rays in London.

The plant is located on five square miles of the Mojave Desert, near the California / Nevada border, and is the largest CSP plant of its kind in the world. According to news reports some dozens of birds have died since the plant was turned on. I am yet to substantiate these findings with a source. But I have something to say about it. Listen up bird lovers.

Maintaining animal habitats is important for renewable energy projects but it shouldn’t be the only concern. If that same area of land were turned into homes, I can guarantee you that multiples more of songbirds would be dying from neighbourhood cats who prey on them for play.

Or if that same amount of energy was produced by the oil industry, the effects of a spill or the consequences of the industry (with leaks, fumes, greenhouse gas) would be much worse. I am not saying that we can’t learn something from this renewable energy advance, I think it’s time that we understand that there is no perpetual motion machine that is going to supply endlessly clean energy. Everything we do to feed our power needs will have a consequence and we have to weigh the pros (clean energy with the cons (singed birds).

If you want to follow the story, start here with compliance documents that Brightsource submitted last year (links to PDF).  If you jump down to the wildlife section you’ll find some quite remarkable considerations for wildlife, certainly care and regard you would NEVER EVER find in the Middle East.

::Brightsource (hat tip Nicky Blackburn)

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Key investors in renewable energy for the Middle East and North Africa regions will be on hand to discuss the criteria for securing project financing. They will present the case studies of the Shams 1, a 100MW plant in Abu Dhabi and the Noor 1, a 160MW (being constructed in Morocco). Meet the World Bank and more at the Menasol conference this May 6 to 7 in Abu Dhabi.

Understanding the details of how to secure project finance in the MENA markets will be crucial for developers in the emerging markets in MENA.

In Saudi Arabia, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates, where the most potential for CSP is evident, there are regulations and requirements that need to be fulfilled.

Some of the key factors to be considered are acquiring land permits, fulfilling local content requirements and the technical considerations such as having a proven track record of technology and selected equipment providers, according to the event organizers.

Who will be there to help guide the way?

Barbara Riccardi, Director of Global Infrastructure and Finance, Natixis Bank, a french corporate and investment bank, and Ulrich Schoppmeyer, Director Power, Renewables, Water, KfW Ipex, from a German banking group, will be evaluating these considerations and will be giving their first hand insight on granting the investment on the Shams 1 CSP plant in Abu Dhabi.

Understanding the difference between financing projects in the Middle East and financing projects in North Africa will be crucial for developers to know where to establish their future investments.

Jonathan Walters, Director, Regional Programs and Partnerships, The World Bank, will be giving his first-hand insight into the investments granted for the Noor 1 CSP project currently under construction in Ourzazate, Morocco.

Visitors to Menasol will also get the chance to see Shams 1 in person: Shams 1 is the Middle East’s largest and only operational CSP power plant and one of the largest in the world. With a power output of 100MW, Shams 1 solar field extends to over 600,000 m2 and it has over 250,000 mirrors.

For more information on the topics that will be discussed at MENASOL click here. Or contact Sarah Kingham at sarah@csptoday.com

Image of solar panels and money from Shutterstock

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As of recently, there has been much encouragement from industry sources for the use of solar power on rooftops. Mounting photovoltaic panels on rooftops of residential and office buildings or industrial facilities can be beneficial for they can provide electricity and create a surplus that can be fed into the grid.

“In the next 12 months, we will see a constant increase of solar infrastructure. Not only standalone facilities, but to actually power our villas, our parks, our residential communities,” said Ivano Iannelli to The National. He is the chief executive of the government-owned advisory company Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence.

However, the legislation may reach some hurdles. Other countries that receive solar energy from small-scale sources, suppliers receive a feed-in tariff from the government. This is a tactic that is under consideration in Dubai. Feed-in tariffs are usually above the market rate, making installation for the solar technology profitable.

“Feed-in tariffs are part of the different activities that are being looked upon,” he noted.

Despite the tariffs being under consideration, industry players are still interested in the appeal for Dubai’s move towards solar energy. SolarWorld, one of Germany’s biggest solar panel producers, opened a showroom in Dubai Creek where its product will be sold by local distributor PTL Solar.

Reliant on fossil fuels, solar energy is a possible alternative energy source for Dubai to take advantage of. The Emirate is already seeking to generate five percent of its electricity from the sun by 2030 and last year, the Dubai Supreme Council for Energy announced its plans for the Mohammad bin Rashad Al Maktoum Solar Park; the contract was awarded for the first plans to take place in October.

Solar energy will also divert attention away from Dubai’s power plants’ reliance on natural gases, which are imported.

The expense is especially high during the summer months when air conditioning is frequently used and the emirate must turn to costly liquefied natural gas.

This expense is then passed on to consumers with a fuel surcharge. Fortunately, solar panels are becoming cheaper as the technology advances and fierce competition controls the prices.

Thanks to the emergence of solar energy, Dubai can also reach its goal of reducing the carbon footprint of its power generation – like Abu Dhabi, which launched the Shams1 Concentrated Solar Plant (CSP) in March 2013.

Shams, impressively, at 100 megawatts, is the largest solar installation in the Middle East. Green Prophet visited Shams earlier this year and you can see pictures here. This installation will contribute to the Emirate’s plan to derive seven percent of its electricity from renewable resources by 2020.

We are rooting for them.

The post Dubai Readies Law to Let Home Owners Feed Energy to the Grid appeared first on Green Prophet.

Maybe you saw the wonderful movie, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. Or maybe you’d read stories on Green Prophet about Masdar, or Shams, the world’s largest CSP plant in Abu Dhabi. Arab nations and their economies are certainly not all about oil and natural gas these days, and in fact these nations are becoming leaders in amazing projects in renewable energy. Now in the news: Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates has just announced the creation of an $850 million incinerator plant which will take garbage from the city and “burn” it into green fuel. 

The new plant is to be built at the Mussaffah Sea Port, according to The National, and is being commissioned by the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company. Suppliers and supporters start your business tender engines!

Figures estimate that a million metric tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW) will be burned every year, to produce 100 megawatts of energy, that’s the same amount of power as the world’s largest CSP plant, Shams which also opened in March in Abu Dhabi.

The National Energy company which goes by the abbreviation TAQA will be looking for builders and operators, and to have the plant ready by 2016 or 2017. It is expected to run for at least 40 years.

Saif Al Sayari, executive officer and head of TAQA’s energy solutions division said: “The waste for our plant in Abu Dhabi will come from various collection points in the emirate of Abu Dhabi and will be diverted from landfill at Al Dhafra.”

Emirates Rail, the national railway of the region may be used to divert some of the waste. And waste will include solid residential as well as commercial and industrial.

Waste heat will generate steam to drive a turbine to produce green electricity.

“It is not too different to what we do at our other eight thermal power plants in the UAE, which all burn natural gas,” Al Sayari noted.

New technologies have produced better filters for removing contaminants that would otherwise enter the air. “The emissions will fall well within globally recognised guidelines, such as the Waste Incineration Directive, applicable to all European plants, of which there are hundreds,” Al Sayari noted.

According to estimates the 100 MW plant will prevent more than a million tonnes of CO2 or carbon dioxide from entering the air. Carbon dioxide is used to quantify all types of greenhouse gas including methane. Greenhouse gas emissions are what’s causing global warming and a forecasted radical climate change.

The plan here isn’t just to burn everything in sight, but to use the incinerator as a last stop for all waste that cannot be sorted and recycled. The City of Abu Dhabi currently produces about 5,000 tonnes of waste per day. The new plant will consume about half of that. A small pilot will be built on Delma Island before the larger plant goes into operation.

Meanwhile in other good news, Westin Abu Dhabi is turning food waste from its golf resort into fertilizer, and the city of Abu Dhabi’s area farms (yes there are farms in the desert!) is converting farm waste into compost.

::The National

Image via serdal

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