Solar steam for industry

Proven technology, deployed at scale

By harnessing sunshine to produce steam, GlassPoint helps industry leaders reduce their carbon emissions at the lowest possible cost. GlassPoint designed its enclosed trough technology specifically to address the needs of industrial users, especially those operating in remote and harsh environments. Enclosed trough technology has been deployed at scale in multiple projects in California and the Middle East.

 
  • GlassPoint has been delivering solar process steam in commercial quantities since its Amal project went online in 2012. To date, more than 60% of the installed base of solar process steam in the world uses GlassPoint enclosed trough technology.

  • Enclosed trough technology requires a fraction of the capital expense to construct, and significantly less cost to operate than alternative solutions. When this is combined with its inherent 600% advantage in energy density, GlassPoint delivers solar process steam at a fraction of the cost of alternative solutions.

  • GlassPoint delivers steam to its customers via long term steam supply agreements, reducing the financial impact of decarbonization on its customers, and acting as a hedge against increasingly volatile fuel prices.

  • By utilizing proven molten salt storage technology, GlassPoint delivers process steam both day and night.

 
 

 

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Immediately reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% without disrupting existing operations.

Reduce fuel use immediately

GlassPoint customers typically retain their existing fossil fuel based sources of steam, but operate them at less than full capacity, reducing the amount of fuel used and the amount of CO2 emitted. Solar steam is added to ensure constant steam flow to the process. 

Depending on latitude and local weather conditions, customers can reduce their fuel use between 50% and 80% annually.

Easy integration

Enclosed trough technology was designed to deliver steam over a wide range of temperatures and pressures, making it easy to integrate with existing facilities without expensive retrofits and shutdowns.

The steam specification of the GlassPoint system is set to be the same as the fossil fired steam generators at the site, minimizing the impact on operations.

 

Pathway to 100% decarbonization

Most electric utility grids still use large amounts of fossil fuels to generate their electricity, so switching to grid power for steam production today would lead to a huge increase in both emissions and cost when compared to continuing to burn fossil fuel on-site for steam production. 

Adopting zero carbon GlassPoint solar steam production today will reduce emissions by up to 80% immediately, and provide a platform for electrification in the future. The GlassPoint thermal storage system can be charged both thermally and electrically so when utility grids eventually decarbonize, the final 20% of steam production can also be decarbonized.

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