Ma’aden and GlassPoint announce Phase 1 of major industrial solar thermal project in Saudi Arabia
In Short : Ma’aden (Saudi Arabian Mining Company) and GlassPoint announce Phase 1 of a significant industrial solar thermal project in Saudi Arabia. This collaboration likely involves harnessing solar energy for industrial applications, contributing to sustainable practices in the region.
In Detail : The project aims to decarbonise Ma’aden’s aluminum supply chain and was officially announced at the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh
Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) and GlassPoint, a leading US-based industrial solar steam company, have announced the first phase of the world’s largest industrial solar thermal project in Ras al Khair.
The project aims to decarbonise Ma’aden’s aluminum supply chain and was officially announced at the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh last week, according to a press statement from GlassPoint.
Termed “The Technology Showcase,” the initial phase incorporates cutting-edge technology for the direct generation of heat and storage, enabling the provision of a continuous base load of steam to Ma’aden’s Alumina refinery at Ras al Khair, with a remarkable capacity of 9 tonnes per hour.
The capacity constitutes just 1 percent of the overall project, which is projected to annually save over 12 million MMBTUs of energy and curtail carbon emissions by 600,000 tonnes.
The Technology Showcase features groundbreaking advancements by GlassPoint, including a more than 30 percent cost reduction in its solutions.
Innovations include the Unify storage system, utilising direct heat and ternary molten salts to provide continuous steam for industry, as well as the incorporation of lighter materials to enhance solar efficiency, reducing weight, materials, carbon intensity, shading, and the levelized cost of energy.
