The world’s first “dual-tower solo generator” solar thermal energy storage power station, located in northwest China’s Gansu Province, has entered its commissioning phase as of July 15. The innovative power station is on track to begin full operations by the end of the year.
This state-of-the-art facility features two adjacent heat-absorbing towers that share a single steam turbine generator. Nearly 30,000 heliostat mirrors are installed across a light-collecting area of 800,000 square meters, reflecting and concentrating sunlight onto the towers to generate heat.
A standout feature of this power station is its ability to store excess solar energy using molten salt, enabling it to provide a stable and uninterrupted power supply 24 hours a day. Once fully operational, the power station will complement nearby photovoltaic and wind power sources, creating a robust 700,000-kilowatt multi-energy clean energy base.
The power station is projected to generate 1.8 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually. This impressive output is expected to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions, cutting them by approximately 1.53 million tonnes each year.
