GE Renewable Energy

Ashalim Power Station, Israel

Country: Israel
Project: Ashalim
Megalim Solar Power Ltd.
Customer:
(End customer: Israeli Electric Corporation)
GE: EPC turnkey solar thermal power
plant (steam generator, steam turbine and
balance-of-plant equipment, transformers,
Scope: and electrical systems inside the fence)
and solar power tower
BrightSource: Solar field
Electrical output: 121 MW
Commercial operation: 2017

Project Highlights
Produces 320 GWh of power per year
Supplies approximately 120,000 homes with cleaner electricity

GEs first solar thermal project

with BrightSource Energy helps
increase Israels energy security
The Ashalim Solar Thermal Power Station, located in Israels Negev
desert, is one of the largest projects of its type in the world. It is also
the first solar thermal or concentrated solar power (CSP) plant to be
undertaken in Israel by GE and our partner, BrightSource Energy.
The project combines GEs experience in the field of turnkey power
plants and key power equipment, such as GEs steam turbines and
Solar Receiver Steam Generator (SRSG) units, with BrightSources
advanced solar field technology.
Under a full turnkey contract, GE is responsible for the engineering,
procurement and construction (EPC) of the solar power station and
also will provide full operations and maintenance (O&M) activities
for 25 years. BrightSource will deliver the heliostats and the control
system of the solar field.
GE and BrightSource will design, supply, and install all the necessary
equipment as well as manage the project construction and
commissioning. This was a key advantage in winning the contract as
it reduced project risks and helped accelerate project timing.

case study
 case study

Customer Profile
The project will be built and operated by Megalim Solar Power Ltd
a special purpose company formed by GE, BrightSource, and NOY
Infrastructure & Energy Investment Fund. Power from the project
will be sold to government utility Israeli Electric Corporation under
a long-term power purchase agreement.

Harnessing the Sun

The Ashalim power stations concentrated solar power (CSP)
technology will use 55,000 computer-controlled heliostats or
mirrors spread over a 3.15 km2 area to track the sun in two axes.
The sunlight will be reflected to a special type of boiler, a Solar
Receiver Steam Generator (SRSG), which is located at the top of a
240-meter tower. When the concentrated sunlight strikes the SRSG,
it heats water in the boiler to create superheated steam that is then
fed to a steam turbine for power generation. Compared to solar
photovoltaic (PV) applications, direct steam CSP has the advantage
of being able to produce electricity for longer periods of time during
the solar hours. The ability to operate during peak demand times
reduces the need for utilities to build power plants to operate only
during peak times thereby lowering the overall systems electricity
production costs.

Environmental and Social Benefits

The Ashalim plant will help increase Israels energy security by
reducing dependence on fossil fuel imports. At the same time,
it will avoid 110,000 tons per year of CO2 emissions, helping Technical Specifications
the government achieve its goal of generating 10 percent of its
electricity from renewable sources by 2020. Power rating (max.) 121 MW

Locally, the plant could create jobs in a remote area during Power rating
110 MW
construction, as well as creating long-term employment opportunities (normal operation)
for the ongoing operation and maintenance of the facility. Fuel Solar + gas
Power from gas Max.: 15% (in one year)/50% (in one day)

Innovative Solution Power tower height 240 m

Its load generation profile allows the Ashalim plant to generate power Solar field area 3.15 km2
in a more stable and grid-friendly way than comparable PV installations Number of heliostats 55,000
that fluctuate their output more rapidly depending on cloud conditions.
Improved tower and receiver construction methods offer improved
safety during construction. And the plants daytime power generation Low cost of electricity
profile makes it well suited to countries with high power demand
growth for air-conditioning or daytime industrial uses.
Low overall system costs

Small environmental footprint

For more information please contact a GE representative.

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