Solar Millennium AG / Key word(s): Energy/
Solar Millennium AG: German consortium holds inauguration ceremony for
the Andasol 3 solar thermal power plant
DGAP-Media / 30.09.2011 / 10:40
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German consortium holds inauguration ceremony for the Andasol 3 solar
thermal power plant
- Largest solar energy site on stream
- Andasol power plants supply the electricity needs of half a million
people
- Storage technology enables electricity supply at night
Aldeire, La Calahorra, 30th September 2011
Today saw the festive inauguration of the Andasol 3 solar thermal power
plant by a consortium of five German companies in the Spanish province of
Granada. The completion of the third Andasol power plant on a site
measuring some two square kilometres has meant the creation of the largest
European solar power plant - located in Andalusia, southern Spain.
Attending the power plant inauguration ceremony were the General Secretary
of Industry and Energy for Andalusia, Isabel De Haro Aramberri, as well as
board members of those companies with a stake in Andasol 3: Stadtwerke
München, RWE Innogy, RheinEnergie, Ferrostaal and Solar Millennium.
Dr. Kurt Mühlhäuser, Chairman of the SWM managing board: 'Andasol 3 is a
perfect example of how the energy transition needs to be realised at a
European level. It can only succeed if the various parties involved - as
here at Andasol 3 - are united in a common aim and if the political
conditions are favourable. For SWM this power plant represents another
major component in its drive to expand its renewables capacity. By 2025 we
aim to be producing enough green electricity in our own installations to be
able to meet the demand of the whole of Munich - that's 7.5 billion
kilowatt hours. Munich will thus become the first city in the world with
over a million inhabitants to reach this target. With the ten-fold increase
in our production capacity - already up and running or still in the
planning - we are making huge strides in the right direction.'
Dr. Hans Bünting, Chief Financial Officer of RWE Innogy: 'Andasol 3 proves
that converting Europe's electricity production methods can be achieved far
more efficiently if we take an international approach, rather than pursuing
national concepts. I see this power plant as a role model for the rest of
Europe; it may even generate the impetus needed for the development of a
European market with common regulations for renewable energy sources.'
Construction on Andasol 3 began in mid 2008. Thanks to high local levels of
direct solar irradiation, Andalusia is one of a handful of locations in
Europe that is ideally suited to solar thermal power generation. The power
plant, with an installed output of 50 megawatts, was completed on schedule
this summer. It is currently running in test mode; commercial operations
are due to begin in the coming weeks. From that point on Andasol 3 will
generate approximately 165 million kilowatt hours of electricity a year,
saving some 150,000 tonnes of CO2 when compared with a modern hard
coal-fired power plant. In all, the three more or less identical Andasol
power plants can meet the electricity needs of about half a million people
using power generated by solar energy.
'With the swift phase-out of nuclear energy and the huge challenges posed
by the move towards renewables, with the new forms of power generation this
entails, the involvement of the German municipal utilities is vital. The
companies in Germany's major cities in particular need to come up with
innovative ways of meeting future energy needs. For several years now
RheinEnergie has been pursuing its own conversion programme entitled
'Energy and Climate 2020'. Our portfolio of renewable energy sources to
date has mainly focused on wind, biomass and photo-voltaic systems. With
Andasol 3 we are investing in production technology which is likely,
alongside wind and hydroelectric power, to become a major component of
European energy supply', commented the managing director of RheinEnergie,
Dr. Dieter Steinkamp.
The Andasol 3 power plant is made up of approximately 205,000 parabolic
reflectors which collect the sunlight. These giant curved mirrors
concentrate the heat generated by solar energy and transmit it to a heat
transfer fluid. A heat exchanger then feeds the thermal energy into a hot
water/steam circuit. The steam drives the turbine, just as in a traditional
power plant. The generator connected then produces the electricity. By
using a thermal storage tank, any electricity generated during the day can
subsequently be supplied on demand. The storage tank holds 30,000 tonnes of
a special blend of salts. Its storage capacity is sufficient for eight
hours. Meaning that Andasol 3 can go on generating electricity reliably and
feeding it into the grid even after sundown. At peak times up to 600 people
were involved in the construction of the power plant. About 50 permanent
jobs in the operation and maintenance of the facility have been created.
Joachim Ludwig, executive board member with Ferrostaal AG: 'The market
potential of solar thermal power plants is immense. That's why we got
involved in Andasol 3 from day one, providing financial backing for the
development of the project. As a general contractor, we contributed our
expertise gained from conventional power plant projects in the area of
engineering, procurement and construction (EPC); we will continue to be
involved in the project as co-owner following commissioning of the plant.
Andasol 3 is a truly European project, which Spain has enabled by creating
a positive political environment. It proves that pioneering work in the
area of sustainable power generation can be achieved with committed
partners and high-performance technology. Our thanks go to the authorities,
local government and the numerous suppliers and their employees for their
great cooperation.'
Christian Beltle, member of the executive board of Solar Millennium:
'Solar thermal power plants are a successful concept for sensible and
predictable renewables-based energy on a grand scale. Spain has adopted a
pioneering position in promoting this technology and has thus created the
first European market for solar thermal power plants. As one of the prime
movers, Solar Millennium was quick to recognise this potential and has
consistently addressed its expansion. We were responsible for planning the
three Andasol power plants and were involved in every single stage of their
development - from initial concept to completed facility. The inauguration
of the third power plant in this location is visible confirmation to us of
our successful work in recent years.'
The companies involved founded the project enterprise Marquesado Solar S.L.
for the realisation of the Andasol 3 project. Stadtwerke München holds a
48.9 percent share, RWE Innogy and RheinEnergie a joint 25.1 percent via a
holding company (RWE Innogy: 51 percent; RheinEnergie: 49 percent).
Thirteen percent each is held by Ferranda GmbH (Ferrostaal) and the Andasol
Kraftwerks GmbH (Solar Millennium).
Stadtwerke München GmbH
The Stadtwerke München (SWM) is the municipal utilities and services
provider for the state capital of Munich. For decades the SWM has stood for
the reliable and energy-saving supply of the Bavarian city with power
(electricity, natural gas, district heat) and drinking water fresh from the
natural springs of the Bavarian Alpine foothills. Its transport subsidiary
MVG is responsible for underground, bus and tram services and is thus a
major player within the Munich public transport network (ÖPNV). In addition
the SWM runs one of the most modern leisure portfolios in Germany,
featuring 18 indoor and outdoor swimming pools. With its affordable
products and customer-oriented services the SWM makes a major contribution
to the local provision of general interest services and quality of life in
Munich. The SWM group employs approximately 7,500 staff. Group turnover for
2010 was in the region of 3.8 billion euros.
RWE Innogy GmbH
The RWE Group combines its renewables expertise and power plants under the
name RWE Innogy. We plan, build and operate facilities that produce
electricity and power from renewable energy sources. Our aim is the swift
expansion of the renewables industry throughout Europe. One major focus of
our activities is on- and offshore wind power. However, RWE Innogy is also
looking to expand in the areas of hydroelectric power and biomass. At the
same time we promote the development of new future-proof technology. To
this end we plan and operate biogas installations, geothermal and solar
thermal power plants. We sponsor innovative companies in the start-up or
growth phase, granting start-up funding for a limited period.
RheinEnergie AG
Based in Cologne, RheinEnergie is one of the largest municipal utilities
companies in Germany. Together with its investment partners, the company
supplies approximately 2.5 million people in the Rhineland with energy and
water. RheinEnergie is active in all phases of the energy industry
value-added chain - from generation and distribution to energy trading,
sales and marketing. Its regional supply network covers the districts of
Rhein-Kreis-Neuss, Mettmann, Oberberg, Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis,
Rhein-Sieg, Rhein-Erft, as well as the cities of Cologne, Leverkusen and
Bonn. In addition the RheinEnergie has a stake in MVV Energie in Mannheim.
The company is promoting the transition to alternative energy sources in
Germany with its 'Energy and Climate' programme. In 2010 RheinEnergie
(workforce: 3,000) achieved an annual turnover of approximately four
billion euros.
Ferrostaal AG
Ferrostaal is an international provider of industrial services to the plant
and mechanical engineering sector. As a technology-independent system
integrator, the company offers project development and management,
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