26 July 2010
CNIM inaugurates its pilot concentrated solar power module using Fresnel technology,
in the presence of Mr. Christian Estrosi, Minister for industry
La Seyne sur Mer, 26 July 2010 - Today, in the presence of Mr. Christian Estrosi, Minister for industry, CNIM inaugurated its pilot concentrated solar power module using Fresnel technology on the Lagoubran site located in Seyne sur Mer. This technology serves to provide renewable and storable energy, that can be easily integrated into existing electrical networks. Its usage also provides for a very low carbon footprint, since it only uses non-polluting materials and fluids that are easily recyclable. This technology can be used on an isolated site.
The users of such plants should primarily be located in the MENA areas and in sub-Saharan Africa, i.e. in countries with high direct sunshine.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that by 2050, 11% of the worldwide production of electricity will be of thermodynamic solar origin.
This pilot is the only industrial pilot using concentrated solar technology that is operational in France. Designed in 2009, it was built in the first half of 2010 and began its initial tests at the end of July 2010.
This large-scale prototype (50 x 20 m), based on the so-called Fresnel mirrors technology, is built on a scale of 1 (dimensions 720 m² of mirrors, direct production of steam at 100 bar). It heralds the future “solar fields” equipping the thermodynamic solar power plants that the CNIM Group wishes to propose.
CNIM has looked after the complete industrialization and manufacturing of this pilot. It’s an emblematic example of the existing cross-functionality within CNIM, that allows a new product to benefit from all of the Group’s pooled skills.
Up to now, this prototype has been developed using shareholders equity.