Guzmán Energía commits to sustainable development through thermoelectric power

As global demand for energy continue to rise and the push for net-zero emissions intensifies, the world is increasingly transitioning toward sustainable energy models.

Andalusia’s climate provides a natural asset for harnessing solar energy. Notably, the region was the first in Europe to establish commercial solar thermal power stations. Currently, there are 23 operational facilities in Andalusia that utilize solar power towers and cylindrical parabolic collectors, along with two experimental plants featuring Stirling parabolic discs for R&D purposes. As a result, Andalusia has the highest installed solar capacity in Europe, totaling 997.4 MW.  Soluz Guzmán is a power station in Palma del Río (Córdoba) that utilizes cylindrical parabolic collectors. These solar thermal devices employ a curved mirror design to focus sunlight onto a receiver positioned along the focal line of the parabola. The concentrated sunlight heats a fluid, typically oil or water, which generates steam to drive a turbine and produce electricity. After two years of construction, during which Ayesa provided various engineering and supervisory services, the facility was commissioned in 2012. With a capacity of 50 MWe, Soluz Guzmán generates approximately 108.5 million kWh annually, enough to meet the energy needs of around 30,000 households.

Ayesa provided technical assistance services across various phases. These included:

• Engineering: this involved undertaking the basic design for the site, as well as overseeing and analysing documentation produced as part of the EPC project.
• Supply and manufacturing: This involved overseeing the procurement of equipment to ensure its quality and operational performance.
• Construction: The company oversaw the construction phase through to completion, including the mechanical termination process.
• Commissioning and performance testing: This involved analyzing procedures and planning through to the provisional acceptance of the plant, as well as assisting in obtaining the necessary permits for commissioning.
• Consulting: This included assisting with compliance and legal requirements set forth by the relevant authorities.
• Supervising health and safety throughout construction.

Ayesa has participated in 26 projects globally that utilize Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technology and has provided owner engineering services for three large plants in Spain and South Africa. The company has also engaged in projects and studies across Chile and several African countries, particularly in Spain. This global experience has enabled Ayesa to nurture significant expertise and learnings in Concentrated Solar Power stations. Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) is a renewable energy technology that generates electricity by using mirrors or lenses to focus sunlight onto a receiver, heating a fluid to produce steam that drives a turbine. CSP offers several advantages as an alternative energy source, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, the ability to incorporate thermal energy storage for consistent power supply, and scalability for various energy needs. It also contributes to job creation and grid stability while using less water than traditional power plants. Overall, CSP represents a viable solution for a sustainable and reliable energy future.