Aalborg CSP in collaboration with John Holland is selected to develop and deliver an Integrated CSP Energy System for the operation of Sundrop Farms' new greenhouse facilities. As a pioneer within arid climate agricultural business, Sundrop Farms has a unique concept of growing high-value crops in the South Australian desert using seawater and sunlight as main resources. Their pilot plant's positive operational experience since 2010 encouraged the large-scale application of the technology, expanding current operation by 20 hectares with the aim of producing over 15,000 tonnes of fresh vegetables annually for the Australian consumers.
To transform the concept into a feasible project, Aalborg CSP has already completed the pre-engineering study and determined technical and economic viability of the project as well as the scope of the system. Based on the positive findings, Aalborg CSP has now received the order to supply the Integrated CSP Energy System, a novel configuration of CSP technologies, enabling year-round operation of Sundrop Farm's horticulture activities in the South Australian arid region of Port Augusta.
"The Sundrop project is a good example of how early pre-engineering involvement and strong collaboration can lead concepts to larger scale project realisation. Aalborg CSP is proud to be a part of this groundbreaking project and will ensure that the solar energy plant is fully operational for the 2016 Australian Spring," - said Svante Bundgaard, CEO of Aalborg CSP.
The Integrated CSP Energy System will combine multiple technologies to utilize given natural resources in the most efficient way. The integrated solar plant is based on a CSP tower technology and the system will be capable of heating the greenhouse in wintertime and on cold summer nights, to provide fresh water by desalinating seawater drawn from the Spencer Bay (5km from the site), and to periodically run a steam turbine to produce electricity.
Besides the technical scope of the project, Aalborg CSP has also determined a reasonable timeframe for site construction - the CSP system is scheduled to be operational by October 2016.
Press contact:
Aalborg CSP
Jelica Matoricz
International Marketing Manager
Phone: +45 88 16 88 47
E-mail: jem@aalborgcsp.com
Sundrop Farms - Australia
Naked Communications
Catherine Donnelly (contact for images)
Email: Catherine.donnelly@nakedcommunications.com
Natalie Dodds
Phone:+61 29213 3415
Email: natalie.dodds@nakedcommunications.com
Amanda Fahey
Phone:+61 8 8100 5200
Email:afahey@sundropfarms.com
Sundrop Farms - UK
Toby Wilkinson (contact for images)
Phone: +44 2071936076 (DL)
+44 2037807090 (Office)
About Aalborg CSP A/S
Aalborg CSP A/S is a world leader in CSP boiler systems and technologies. Our globally recognised solutions are based on 25 years of experience with traditional steam boilers uniquely adapted to the CSP industry. We design and deliver steam generation systems, molten salt and direct steam tower receivers, thermal energy systems (TES), industrial solar boilers, and integrated CSP systems that combine heat and electricity production as well as water desalination. Aalborg CSP has supplied to CSP plants contributing to more than 330MWe worldwide. Our engineering design is centred on a value-adding concept to provide solutions that excel in operation, increase plant revenue and create environmental benefits.
Headquartered in Aalborg (Denmark) and with sales & service offices in Spain, US, Kenya, Uganda and Indonesia, Aalborg CSP has realised cost effective thermal energy solutions to a variety of industries worldwide.
For more information visit www.AalborgCSP.com or follow us on Linkedin.
About Sundrop Farms
Sundrop Farms is a pioneer in sustainable agriculture for the arid world, growing high-value crops using seawater and sunlight. It has the technology and operational skills to develop, construct and operate greenhouses in locations that have little or no access to arable land, fresh water sources, grid electricity or natural gas. The company has created a proprietary food production system which grows high quality produce, all year round, in greenhouses that use the abundant and renewable resources of sunlight and seawater. As the world's population continues to grow, Sundrop Farms is de-coupling food production from the world's finite resources and relying instead on renewable resources to grow the world's food industry, not just profitably but also sustainably. Please visit Sundrop's website at www.sundropfarms.com