Concentrated Solar Power a key technology for sustainable power generation in Africa.
Johannesburg, February 7, 2012
The average daily solar radiation in most African countries makes Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) one of the most attractive renewable energy solutions to ensure a secure supply of clean electricity to power economic and infrastructure growth on the continent. For example, DNI (Direct Normal Irradiance) values of up to 2900 kWh/m2a are not unusual in some areas in South Africa. Until 2020, the market for solar thermal power plants will show annual double-digit growth rates and attain a volume of over EUR20 billion, with two of the primary focal growth regions being South Africa and North Africa.
The enormous potential for solar power in South Africa and the rest of the continent is one of the reasons why Siemens is participating in the CSP Today South Africa 2012, the 1st Concentrated Solar Thermal Powers Conference and Expo taking place on the 7th and 8th of February at the Hilton Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg.
As a company, Siemens believes CSP is a key technology of the 21st century and is one world’s leading solar power technology suppliers. “We are already the market leader in steam turbines for solar thermal power plants and, with the power block, we can offer a key part for solar power plants – the part that is responsible for power generation”, says John Hazakis, head of Solar and Hydro at Siemens Southern Africa. Hazakis says that Siemens was the first steam turbine supplier to re-enter the CSP market in the 21st century, pioneering commercial solutions in the US and Spain. Today, Siemens is the world market leader in steam turbines for CSP plants, and has more than 20 years of experience with steam turbines for daily cycling.
With the acquisition of Solel in 2009, Siemens now boasts high-efficiency receiver technology and comprehensive expertise in the engineering and construction of solar fields. “We are able to offer the key components for the construction of parabolic trough power plants from a single source and to further enhance the efficiency of these plants, and this expertise is available for our customers in Africa”, adds Hazakis.
“The roll-out of Concentrated Solar Power in South Africa and the rest of Africa is not only good for ensuring a sustainable source of electricity, it also offers huge potential for job creation and localisation, says Hazakis. “However, to create a sustainable industry more capacity needs to be allocated to CSP technology to ensure that the necessary investments can be made in local manufacturing and skills development.”
Theodor Scheidegger, the global CEO of the Siemens Solar and Hydro Division is one of the key speakers at the CSP Today 2012 Conference. His presentation entitled, “A-Z Guide on Solar and Technology” will highlight Siemens’ international experience and expertise in the field of solar power and its benefits for Africa. At the expo, Siemens is showcasing its CSP parabolic model. “This parabola is ideal for South African conditions and is being showcased at the perfect time, as customers and investors will get the opportunity to see and touch the innovative technology while discussing the big plans for the roll-out of CSP in South Africa, and the continent”, says Hazakis.
Solar power plants are part of Siemens' Environmental Portfolio. In fiscal 2010, revenue from the Portfolio totalled about EUR28 billion, making Siemens the world's largest supplier of eco-friendly technologies. In the same period, our products and solutions enabled customers to reduce their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 270 million tons, an amount equal to the total annual CO2 emissions of the megacities Hong Kong, London, New York, Tokyo, Delhi and Singapore.
The Siemens Energy Sector is the world’s leading supplier of a complete spectrum of products, services and solutions for power generation in thermal power plants and using renewables, power transmission in grids and for the extraction, processing and transport of oil and gas. In fiscal 2011 (ended September 30), the Energy Sector had revenues of EUR27.6 billion and received new orders totalling approximately EUR34.8 billion and posted a profit of more than EUR4.1 billion. On September 30, 2011, the Energy Sector had a work force of more than 97,000. Effective October 1, 2011, the Power Distribution Division with a work force of more than 15,000 was reassigned to the new Infrastructure & Cities Sector. Further information is available at: www.siemens.com/energy.