It is well known that when it comes to energy projects, bigger is often better. With the exception of perhaps large scale hydro-power plants, most renewable energy facilities also gain benefits from being bigger. The economic and energy pay backs for these systems are often much greater when the system achieves a large scale. I was inspired by the wonderful photos in this story, and the really cool slide show, to collect these pictures of large renewable energy installations from around the world.
Wind, solar and other renewable-energy technologies that were once considered more appropriate for single homes or small communities are reaching levels of scale and centralizing that were formerly the province of coal- and gas-fired plants and nuclear reactors. In other words, green is going giant.
The companies that are building or dreaming up large projects argue that there are economies of scale to be gained.
The offshore wind turbine REpower 5M (rotor diameter: 126 m) after its successful erection in the Scottish North Sea
Many more pictures below the fold.
giant turbines need giant cranes.
to give you an idea of the scale
The world's largest solar thermal power plant has been in operation for 2 decades in the California Mojave desert. Nine plants with a total capacity of 350 MWe providing enough electricity to meet the residential needs of a city with 250,000 people
Some pictures of the world's largest photovoltaic (PV) system integrated in a metal roof in Europe. The UNI-SOLAR® PV laminates cover the roof on one of the main sections of the UBISA factory owned by N.V. Bekaert S.A. in Burgos, Spain. With an installed capacity of 76 kWp (peak kilowatts), it is the largest metal PV roof in the world.
a 12-megawatt facility located amid cropland near the Bavarian town of Arnstein.
3mw ocean power plant
Serpa power plant (pdf) Spain Portugal (thanks Filipe) 52,000 solar panels, 90 acres, 11 MW...wow
A sterling engine solar dish, part of a proposed solar farm that when done will result in a massive, 4,500-acre solar generating station in Southern California. This comes to around seven square miles, with a perimeter of nearly 30 miles. The completed power station would be the world's largest solar facility, capable of producing more electricity than all other currently-operating U.S. solar projects combined. The planned size of the plant will be 500 MW with the plan to expand to 750MW. It will be located 70 miles north west of Los Angeles.
Know of any more interesting large renewable energy projects, post them in the comment and I will add them.
hi all,
My name is John Price and just recently I have become fascinated wtih everything having to do with renewable energy. I feel it is the best thing since the internet or even sliced bread! I just can’t believe all of the things that have been right under my nose. At the moment I am a student at UWM but am looking to take a break and am would like to start working with solar farms or anything to contribute. If anyone has advice, work opportunities or anything to help it would be greatly appreaciated emensly and your kindness would not be overlooked. (sorry about the long message, but thank you for reading)
this is real cool ;)
This isthatandiamthis
thanks for the excellent article – the pictures and specs are great. The size of these things, how much area they take up, how much they cost, and how much energy they produce will all be critical when it comes time to massivley scale these kinds of energy plants. And that time is fast approaching!