Concentrated solar power (CSP) plants are an amazing energy technology that is also renewable as long as the sun shines. However, solar energy cannot provide electricity on demand, especially when it comes to off-grid needs.
Aora Solar from Yavne, Israel, has nearly completed construction of the world's first hybrid solar power plant which will combine concentrated solar power with a hybrid microturbine to generate power 24 hours a day.
This technology could help provide the necessary energy for off-grid communities without needing to install miles of expensive transmission lines.
The installation of the new hybrid system at Kibbutz Sammar in Israel is expected to be completed within a few days. Once operational, the plant will generate 100 kW of on-demand electricity plus an additional 170 kW of thermal energy.
The plant consists of 30 heliostats (mirrors) that capture sunlight and direct its rays up into a 30-meter tower where all the sunlight from the heliostats is concentrated. This light heats compressed air which drives an electric turbine.
The tower itself is a departure from other towers of this kind because it has an interesting and aesthetically pleasing design, shaped like a tulip.
The hybrid aspect of the plant allows for on-demand electricity production due to the internal microturbine. When the sun sets for the day or when it's cloudy, natural gas or biofuels can be used to power the microturbine which in turn drives the electric turbine. This hybrid system has the capacity to provide electrical power for 70 homes 24/7.
