Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System Reaches ‘First Sync’ Milestone
NIPTON, Calif.–Sep. 24, 2013– Today it was announced
that the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System produced its first output of
energy when the Unit 1 station was synchronized to the power grid for the first
time. Achieving this critical “first sync” is a major milestone for the project,
which is jointly-owned by NRG Energy, Inc., BrightSource Energy, Inc. and
Google.
Ivanpah First Sync (Photo: Business Wire)
This successful test demonstrates the effectiveness
of the station’s power tower technology, which includes large heliostats that
track the sun throughout the day, solar field integration software and a solar
receiver steam generator.
“Given the magnitude and complexity of Ivanpah, it
was very important that we successfully complete this milestone showing all
systems were on track,” said Tom Doyle, President of NRG Solar. “We couldn’t be
more excited about achieving ‘first sync,’ and we share this success with our
project partners, BrightSource and Google, as well as Bechtel, which is
responsible for engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning on the
project.”
Power generated from Ivanpah’s initial sync testing
will go to Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), which has a power purchase
agreement (PPA) for energy produced out of the plant’s Unit 1 station. Power
generated from Ivanpah’s Unit 3 station is also sold under a PPA with PG&E,
while Unit 2 is under a PPA with Southern California Edison. Proof-of-concept
testing will also be conducted at Unit 2 and 3 in the coming months.
“This is yet another major milestone that we have
successfully achieved as Ivanpah approaches completion,” said David Ramm,
Executive Chairman of BrightSource Energy, Inc. “Ivanpah is the showcase project
for BrightSource’s power tower technology and technical expertise. Validation at
this scale demonstrates the viability of our technology as BrightSource
increases focus on international markets and applications for concentrating
solar power.”
“The achievement of this major milestone was
possible through the tireless efforts of the entire project team – from the
craft to the field engineers and technical experts,” said Toby Seay, President
of Bechtel’s power global business unit. “With the cooperation of Ivanpah’s
owners, we have been able to bring to life a world-class solar project that will
help California meet its renewable energy goals safely and effectively.”
“At Google we invest in renewable energy projects
that have the potential to transform the energy landscape. Ivanpah is one of
those projects,” said Rick Needham, Director of Energy and Sustainability at
Google. “We’re excited about the project achieving this first sync – a landmark
event along the path to completion. Congratulations to the many people who have
worked so hard to get this far.”
Located in California’s Mojave Desert, Ivanpah is
the largest solar thermal plant in the world, spanning 3,500 acres of public
land. Once fully operational, the 392 megawatt (377 megawatt net) plant will
generate enough electricity to power 140,000 homes annually. Ivanpah’s three
power tower units will also nearly double the amount of commercial solar thermal
energy capacity now operating in the United States.
The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System is one
of several NRG assets that are subject to a Right of First Offer Agreement
between NRG Energy Inc., and the newly-created NRG Yield, Inc. (NYSE: NYLD).
Source: NRG Energy, Inc.
