Abengoa Solar opens new experimental power tower

A new 2MW experimental power tower has been opened by Abengoa Solar to test a new prototype superheating receiver, which is hoped to lead to improved full scale production output and lower costs. The experimental plant occupies a 16,000-squarefoot portion of the Solúcar Platform in Andalusia, Spain and uses 35 heliostats and a 164-foot tower. Abengoa Solar said that the new plant also includes a thermal energy storage system for power production after the loss of sunlight.

“This marks the beginning of the next experimental phase for this high-potential solar power tower technology which could lead to an important step forward in our goals of generating clean electricity at competitive prices,” commented Rafael Osuna, General Manger Abengoa Solar New Technologies. “Our significant investment in research and development has made this groundbreaking concentrating solar power technology a reality.”

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