Novatec Solar has been awarded the Technology Innovation Award 2011 for achievements in the development of its Linear Fresnel collector technology.
The prize is awarded by the SolarPACES Executive Committee for technological innovations that demonstrate rapid deployment of cost competitive Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technologies. The milestones which Novatec Solar has achieved in the last two years contributed significantly to the judge’s decision.
In September 2011, Novatec Solar achieved a temperature record when its Linear Fresnel collector technology successfully generated superheated steam at temperatures above 500°C. This significant milestone was achieved in Murcia, Spain, the same location as Novatec Solar’s 1.4MWe demonstration plant which has been connected to the Spanish national electricity grid since March 2009. Currently, Novatec Solar is constructing the world’s first commercial 30MWe Linear Fresnel power plant in Spain, which is scheduled for completion in March 2012.
Novatec Solar’s Fresnel collector has successfully generated superheated steam at temperatures above 500°C at its 1.4 megawatt (MW) demonstration plant in Murcia, Spain, by implementing an innovative receiver design. Superheated solar steam increased the power block efficiency up to 50% (depending on power block design), leading to significant reduction of electricity generation cost of concentrated solar power.
Novatec Solar was founded in 2006 by management shareholders Martin Selig, Dr. Max Mertins and Gerhard Hautmann. Novatec Solar is based in Karlsruhe, Germany. The Novatec management team is made up of experts from solar energy research and development, automotive mass production and power plant design. Novatec Solar’s focus is the production, development, implementation and operation of solar thermal steam generators.
Transfield Holdings is a leading Australian development and investment company. Transfield has investments in Transfield Services Limited and Campus Living Villages, each of which have significant activities internationally. Transfield Holdings is the majority shareholder in Novatec Solar.
ABB is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 130,000 people. ABB acquired a 35% shareholding in Novatec in March 2011.
