NRG Energy Partners with Brightsource for New Solar Thermal Project

NRG Energy, a power company, has announced Milton Financials that it will collaborate with Brightsource Energy for developing and operating one of the world’s largest solar thermal plants. The company has become the major investor by investing nearly $300 million in the project.

In standard  PV technology-based solar projects semiconductor materials are used to convert light into energy. But the latest shift towards solar thermal projects changes the way of generating electricity.

The solar thermal projects employ mirrors to heat liquid, which in turn produces steam. This steam helps to drive a power turbine for generating electricity. This process will be utilized by Brightsource’s new development.

NRG Energy has also collaborated with eSolar for development of solar thermal plants. The company has provided update on the 392 MW Ivanpah PV project in the Mojave Desert. The Ivanpah project has secured approval from federal and state agencies. U.S. Department of Energy grants $1.375 billion for this project. The 392 MW solar thermal plant is expected to begin operation in mid-2013.