BrightSource Energy, Inc. has signed a contract with Siemens to purchase a steam turbine generator for BrightSource’s first 100MW plant at its Ivanpah Solar Power Complex in California’s Mojave Desert. Siemens will supply the 123MW fully solar-powered steam turbine generator, which claims to be the largest of its kind to date.
The turbine is expected to be delivered in early 2011 with BrightSource expecting its first phase of the Ivanpah Solar Power Complex to be in operation and supplying solar energy to utilities in the fourth quarter of 2011. The complex consists of three separate solar plants and will generate a total of 400MW of power.
Markus Tacke, CEO of the Siemens Energy Oil & Gas Division’s Industrial Applications, Steam Turbines business unit stated, “Our extensive experience in optimizing our steam turbines for solar thermal applications puts us in a leading position to help customers provide clean solar power. Siemens is proud to be building the largest fully solar-powered steam turbine generator to date for BrightSource’s Ivanpah solar power plant.”
