The innovative solar power project entails the installation of a
hybrid concentrated solar power plant that employs a Solar Tulip to
concentrate the sun’s energy, turning it into electricity. The
system produces power 24/7, moving seamlessly from solar to natural
gas or biogas. The hybrid system also uses little to no water while
producing a high- quality thermal output in addition to power.
AORA Solar NA, a U.S. company, will work with a multi-disciplinary
ASU team to research options to increase efficiency, improve
reliability, utilize the exhaust heat and decrease the cost of this
Israeli-developed technology. AORA will construct the demonstration
power plant, which includes a tower (approximately 100 feet high)
appropriately called the Solar Tulip, on undeveloped land near the
Karsten Golf Course in Tempe. The technology includes a collection
of mirrors to concentrate the sun’s rays to heat compressed air to
more than 1800 degrees Fahrenheit and drive a gas turbine. The rated
output of the Tulip system is 100 kilowatts of electricity and an
additional 170 kilowatts of thermal energy -- about enough energy to
power between 60-80 homes.
Another interesting feature: at night, or when overcast, the Solar
Tulip can use a wide range of fuels to heat the air,
thereby producing power and heat round the clock. What's more, the
system is modular in design, allowing for multiple Tulips to work
together, enabling the technology to match growing electric demand
requirements. The relatively small footprint makes this system a
potentially perfect complement to housing developments, or
industrial parks, and offers an option to enhance grid stability in
the presence of transient renewable generation, according to AORA.
“This is another instance in which ASU has brought in cutting-edge
technology that its students can learn from and help perfect,” said
Sethuraman "Panch" Panchanathan, senior vice president of Office of
Knowledge Enterprise Development at ASU. “With this collaboration,
the university has established a commitment to integrate students,
faculty, and staff into research on the Solar Tulip design to bring
24-hour solar/renewable technology to commercialization.”
Zev Rosenzweig, CEO of AORA Solar, cited ASU's dedication to
innovation and sustainability. He also acknowledged
the participation of project director, Ellen Stechel, who has
spearheaded the concept from the beginning, along with her
colleagues Gary Dirks, William Brandt and the ASU LightWorks team.
"ASU’s breadth of research capability will undoubtedly allow us to
increase output, and reduce overall costs which will bring us to
commercial viability," he explained.
AORA Solar has contracted with GreenFuel Technologies, a
Phoenix-based General Contractor specializing in environmental
energy projects to construct the research plant at the ASU campus.
Groundbreaking is expected to occur in April, with the anticipated
operation date to be sometime in the late September/early October
time frame.
AORA Solar is currently operating two additional research
facilities, one located in a solar research park in Almeria, Spain,
and the original unit in Israel. These systems can be controlled
remotely via computer, a unique capability that provides innovative
options for possibilities in the U.S. and indeed around the world,
including developing countries.
The ASU/AORA collaborative relationship will not only bring ASU
closer to its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2025, but it will
also benefit students and researchers across multiple fields of
study.
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http://www.renewableenergyfocus.com/view/37513/arizona-state-university-and-aora-solar-na-to-collaborate-on-innovative-solar-project/