Alinta Energy to bet on 50 MW Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plant in Australia

Alinta Energy plans to develop a 50 MW concentrated solar power (CSP) plant with storage at Port Augusta, South Australia.

The power producer operates 512 MW of coal-fired power plants, also called the Port Augusta Power Stations, in South Australia. The plants are nearing the end of their operational life and Alinta has started a two-year study to assess concentrated solar power (CSP) and solar-coal hybrid options at the port. In January the company received AUD 1.13 million (USD 1.1m/EUR 777,000) in grants from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the South Australian government for the project.
According to first results from the feasibility study, the standalone solar tower “offers a greater potential for commercialisation” than hybrid technology. It lowers the integration risks related to the hybridisation, Alinta explained. In addition, the CSP technologu will allow the firm to keep producing power after its coal-fired power plants are no longer operational.

Alinta has already selected a site to continue the feasibility sturcy, the first phase of which will end in December. The second phase is planned for 2015 and will provide more accurate information.