Technologies
Central Tower (CT)
The Central Tower is an advanced form of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technology designed to harness solar energy efficiently. It works by capturing sunlight reflected by thousands of heliostats—large mirrors that track the sun’s movement—and directing it to a receiver at the top of the tower. This intense solar energy heats a specialized fluid (molten salt) which is then used to generate steam and drive a turbine, producing electricity.
At Noor Energy 1, our Central Tower (the tallest CSP tower in the world) has a 100 MW capacity and is surrounded by 70,000 heliostats, precisely directing sunlight to the Molten Salt Receiver at the tower’s peak. The receiver heats a molten salt mixture (60% sodium nitrate & 40% potassium nitrate) to temperatures exceeding 560°C. The heated molten salt is then stored in an insulated thermal energy tank, allowing us to generate electricity day and night by producing steam to power the turbine—ensuring a reliable, around-the-clock renewable energy supply.
Parabolic Trough (PT)
The Parabolic Trough is the most widely used Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technology, designed to efficiently capture and convert solar energy into electricity. This system features curved, parabolic-shaped mirrors that focus sunlight onto absorber tubes positioned at the center of the mirrors. Inside these tubes flows a Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF)—a eutectic mixture of diphenyl and biphenyl oxide—designed to absorb and retain heat. The heated HTF is then used to generate steam, which drives a turbine to produce electricity.
At Noor Energy 1, we take Parabolic Trough technology a step further, ensuring 24/7 clean energy production, just like our Central Tower system. We operate three independent Parabolic Trough units, each with a 200 MW capacity (total 600MW) with a total of 63,600 modules of Parabolic Troughs. The parabolic mirrors track the sun from east to west to concentrate sunlight to heat the HTF up to 393°C. Once heated, the HTF follows one of two paths:
Direct Steam Generation – The HTF transfers its heat to produce steam, powering the turbine.
Thermal Energy Storage – The HTF transfers its heat to molten salt, which is stored in insulated tanks for later use. During the night, the stored molten salt reheats the HTF, ensuring continuous steam production and uninterrupted power generation.
With this innovative approach, Noor Energy 1 maximizes efficiency and reliability, delivering sustainable energy around the clock.
Photovaltaic (PV)
Photovoltaic (PV) technology is one of the most widely used methods for converting sunlight directly into electricity. PV systems use solar panels made up of semiconductor materials, typically silicon, which generate electricity when exposed to sunlight through the photovoltaic effect. This process allows solar energy to be converted into direct current (DC) electricity, which is then transformed into alternating current (AC) through inverters, making it usable for homes, industries, and power grids.
At Noor Energy 1, we utilize a fixed PV system with a total capacity of 250 MW, complementing our Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technologies to ensure efficient and sustainable electricity generation. To maintain optimal efficiency, our PV panels are cleaned daily using advanced robotic dry-cleaning technology. These water-free cleaning robots remove dust and dirt from the panels, ensuring maximum energy absorption while preserving water resources—a key advantage in arid environments.
By integrating PV, Central Tower, and Parabolic Trough technologies, Noor Energy 1 stands as a global leader in renewable energy, delivering clean, reliable, and sustainable power to meet the growing energy demands.
