Technology
Solar Thermal
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Capacity
121 MW / 545 MWh
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Completed
2019
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The Ashalim solar-thermal project, located in the Negev desert, has a capacity of 121 MW and 545 MWh of storage capacity, providing renewable energy to approximately 60,000 households in Israel. The project utilizes parabolic trough technology, where solar energy is absorbed by parabolic mirrors set throughout the solar field. The mirrors rotate to track the sun, concentrating the sun’s rays into special tubes that contain heat transfer fluid. The fluid transfers heat to water, generating steam that propels a turbine to produce electricity power.
“The project leverages a significant molten salt storage system, enabling it to store and provide up to 4.5 additional hours of clean energy each day – even after sunset or during cloudy weather. This allows for an average of 11 hours of daily operation, throughout the year”
The Ashalim thermo-solar project covers ~3,900 dunams (~960 acres) and is part of the Ashalim power station, Israel’s largest renewable energy project. The power station is located in the Negev desert, near Kibbutz Ashalim.