The Solar Energy Development Center (SEDC) is an operational solar field that will provide BrightSource Energy with the ability to test equipment, materials and procedures as well as construction and operating methods.
This solar field is a scaled cross-section of a typical commercial plant and includes more than 1,600 full-size heliostats and a 60m tower topped by a solar boiler. The power tower and surrounding heliostats concentrate the sun’s energy onto the boiler.
The utility-grade superheated steam will be piped from the boiler to a standard turbine where electricity will be generated, all at a reportedly higher operating efficiency and lower cost than other solar power plants.
John Woolard, CEO of BrightSource Energy, said: This is an important step forward for the entire solar industry and for anyone who cares about generating clean energy at significant scale. With the launch of this center, we are proving that clean energy can be generated reliably, more efficiently, and at lower cost than ever before.
