The first hybrid power plant in the world that combines the
continuous generation capacity of binary-cycle,
medium-enthalpy geothermal power with the peak capacity of
solar power, which has now risen to 26 MW.
Rome, March 20th, 2012 - Enel Green Power, the Enel
Group's renewables company, operating in North America
through its subsidiary Enel Green Power North America, has
expanded the capacity of the Stillwater solar power plant
connected to the binary-cycle geothermal power plant.
This has increased the grid-connected photovoltaic power
capacity of this innovative plant located in Churchill
County, Nevada from 24 MW to 26 MW. The plant also has a
geothermal capacity of 33 MW.
This is the first renewable energy project in the world
that combines the continuous generation capacity of
binary-cycle, medium-enthalpy geothermal power with the
peak capacity of solar power, allowing a better match with
NV Energy's customer needs. NV Energy has a 20-year
contract to buy all the energy that will be generated by
the plant.
The solar power plant will generate around 43 million kWh
of clean energy per year, enough to meet the needs of over
16,000 American households as well as avoiding the emission
of around 30,000 metric tons of CO2 into the atmosphere
each year.
Combining two technologies to produce electricity from
renewable sources at the same location not only increases
the generation of zero-emission energy (which, in this
case, will exceed 200 million kWh/year, avoiding the
emission of around 140,000 metric tons of CO2 into the
atmosphere each year), but also makes it possible to use
the same infrastructure, such as, for instance, electrical
interconnection lines, thereby further reducing
environmental impact.
The entry into service of this new plant brings Enel Green
Power's total installed capacity in North America to
more than 1,000 MW.