Vast Solar, a leading developer of concentrated solar  power (CSP), is creating more green manufacturing jobs in South Australia through a CSP project development with global design and manufacturing company Contratos y Diseños Industriales (CYD).

Located in Port Augusta, the 30MW/288 MWh project dubbed VS1 is designed to generate clean, low-cost, dispatchable power with over eight hours of thermal energy storage.

The project will leverage CYD’s first-of-its-kind Avatar Model concept to simulate the construction and operation of thermal energy storage tanks that contain molten salt at high temperatures.

The concept uses a dynamic digital twin designed to create the exact dimensions of VS1’s thermal energy storage system. This approach allows for testing and simulation under different conditions. It is also designed to detect and address any problems while optimising the design and performance of the tanks before they are manufactured and installed.

“Our collaboration with Vast is breaking new ground in the CSP industry. The Avatar Model has been developed using the extensive experience in the design and construction of molten salt tank technology amongst the Vast and CYD teams, supported by other leading companies and institutions. It provides an opportunity to implement learnings at an early-stage to ensure the optimal performance of thermal energy storage systems,” said Sergio Davila from CYD.

The project marks a significant milestone for the CSP industry and is expected to enhance the performance of molten salt storage tanks once operational.

Hundreds of jobs during construction and long-term plant operations roles are also expected to be created, Vast Solar said in a press release.

VS1, which is Vast’s first utility-scale project, recently received approximately $65 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.

“We are delighted to be working with CYD and to have their extensive global experience in CSP supporting VS1. The Avatar Model’s holistic approach to the design, manufacture, construction and operation of molten salt tanks will further strengthen VS1. This innovative approach to building CSP projects is a big step forward for Vast and the whole industry,” said Craig Wood, chief executive officer of Vast.