Unique Solar Energy Coal Power Plant at Queensland by Areva investing in Tripe Renewable Energy Play in Biomass,Nuclear and Solar Thermal for growth

Areva the French Nuclear Giant which is known more for producing equipment for nuclear power plants is been awarded federal funding by the Australian Government to build a solar coal hybrid plant in Queensland.The 44 MW Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) Plant will be built near a 750 Thermal Power Station.This will be the second solar coal hybrid plant in the world when its gets finished in 2013.Note Areva has huge plans in the Solar Thermal Technology Industry after buying startup Ausra sometimes ago.The company which is an expert in power plant equipment technology such as boilers,turbines will use its expertise to build a CSP plant adding to the power output of the Kogan Creek Thermal Station.Note the cost mentioned implies around $2.4/watt which does not seem expensive.The CSP Coal Hybrid will not require storage which will help in reducing the costs of the power plant.Note a number of Fossil Fuel Solar Hybrid Plants are being planned around the world.Almost all of these power plants use CSP Technology instead of the PV Technology.Its a valuable niche for Solar Thermal Companies to explore as they face huge competition from Solar PV which is drastically reducing its costs to reach retail electricity price equality.

Areva looking at Tripe Renewable Energy Plan in Biomass,Solar CSP and Nuclear Energy

Areva alos plans 1000 MW of Solar Thermal Capacity in India with an investment of $3 Billion partnering with Indian financial institutions.The Company is awaiting the award of projects under JNNSM which has a huge capacity earmarked for Solar Thermal Projects.The Company also plans to set up a Solar EPC subsidiary to construct turnkey plants for other companies.India could be the biggest growth market for Areva with its recent opening of the nuclear sector.Areva already has a 60 MW biomass capacity in India which is also set to set sharp growth.Areva hopes to gain from growth in all the 3 sectors of Nuclear,Solar and Biomass Energy  .

AREVA was awarded a major contract to install a solar thermal addition to CS Energy’s coal-fired Kogan Creek power station in Queensland, Australia. This solar boost project, supported by the Australian and Queensland Governments, will be the world’s largest solar integration with a coal-fired power station.Construction of the AU$ 104.7 million (around €76 million) solar addition is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2011, with commercial operation planned for 2013.Adding solar energy to the Kogan Creek power station will increase its output by up to 44 megawatts in peak solar conditions to the current 750 megawatts and will avoid the production of 35,600 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually.