The Cerro Dominador Concentrated Solar Power Plant has successfully synchronized with the Chilean electrical system.
The project is installed in the Antofagasta Region. Unlike other projects, this system does not use photovoltaic panels, but rather 10,600 mirrors (heliostats), each one with a surface area of 140 m2, which reflect sunlight and concentrate the heat on a receiver at the top of a 250-meter tower. This receiver contains molten salts circulating that, after absorbing the heat and reaching temperatures of over 560 degrees, are stored in large tanks and then used to generate electricity using a steam turbine.
This innovative system allows the plant’s storage system to produce energy 24 hours a day, not just when there is sun. In addition, it will be capable of avoiding close to 640,000 tons of CO2 a year and supply a city of approximately 380,000 households.
The power plant is owned by EIG Global Energy Partners. The plant construction was entrusted to Abengoa and Acciona SA.
