Developer

BrightSource Energy Inc

www.brightsourceenergy.com

Total capacity of implemented projects

1 - 5 GW

Countries of projects presence

1

BrightSource Energy Inc is a leading renewable energy company that specializes in developing solar projects. Founded in 2004, the company is headquartered in Oakland, California, and has offices in Israel, Australia, and South Africa. BrightSource Energy's mission is to provide clean, reliable, and affordable energy to power the world's growing demand for electricity while reducing carbon emissions and mitigating climate change.

BrightSource Energy's technology is based on concentrating solar power (CSP), which uses mirrors to focus sunlight onto a central receiver, where it is converted into heat. The heat is then used to generate steam, which drives a turbine to produce electricity. This technology is particularly well-suited for large-scale power generation, as it can provide consistent and reliable power even when the sun is not shining, thanks to its thermal energy storage capabilities.

One of BrightSource Energy's flagship projects is the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System, located in the Mojave Desert in California. Ivanpah is the world's largest CSP plant, with a capacity of 392 megawatts (MW). The plant uses over 170,000 mirrors to focus sunlight onto three central towers, each of which is over 450 feet tall. The towers contain boilers that generate steam, which drives turbines to produce electricity. Ivanpah provides clean energy to over 140,000 homes in California, while avoiding over 400,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

BrightSource Energy has also developed several other CSP projects in the United States, including the Palen Solar Project in California and the Hidden Hills Solar Project in Nevada. The Palen project is a 500 MW plant that will use two central towers and over 100,000 mirrors to generate electricity. The Hidden Hills project is a 500 MW plant that will use two central towers and over 85,000 mirrors to generate electricity. Both projects are currently in the permitting phase, and are expected to begin construction in the near future.

In addition to CSP, BrightSource Energy is also developing other renewable energy technologies, such as photovoltaic (PV) solar and energy storage. The company's PV projects include the Mount Signal Solar project in California, which is a 265 MW plant that uses PV panels to generate electricity. The project provides clean energy to over 80,000 homes in California, while avoiding over 200,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

BrightSource Energy's energy storage projects include the Ashalim Solar Thermal Power Station in Israel, which is a 121 MW CSP plant that includes a 50 MW thermal energy storage system. The storage system allows the plant to provide consistent and reliable power even when the sun is not shining, making it an ideal solution for Israel's energy needs.

BrightSource Energy's success in developing renewable energy projects has been recognized by the industry and the public. The company has received numerous awards and accolades, including the 2014 Platts Global Energy Award for Sustainable Innovation, the 2014 Bloomberg New Energy Finance Pioneers Award, and the 2014 E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

BrightSource Energy's commitment to sustainability extends beyond its projects. The company has implemented a number of initiatives to reduce its own carbon footprint, such as using energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems in its offices, and encouraging its employees to use public transportation or carpool to work. The company has also implemented a comprehensive sustainability reporting program, which tracks its environmental, social, and governance performance.

Overall, BrightSource Energy is a leading renewable energy company that is making significant contributions to the transition to a low-carbon economy. The company's innovative CSP technology, combined with its commitment to sustainability, makes it a key player in the renewable energy industry. As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change and energy security, BrightSource Energy's projects will play an increasingly important role in providing clean, reliable, and affordable energy to power the future.