GlassPoint launches ambitious solar thermal project in Saudi Arabia

SAUDI ARABIA – GlassPoint, a leader in decarbonizing industrial process heat, has announced plans to build Ma’aden I, the world’s largest industrial solar thermal project.

This ambitious initiative, launched in partnership with Saudi mining giant Ma’aden and Spanish utility major Cox, marks a significant step towards advancing sustainable industrial practices in the kingdom.

The US$1.5 billion Ma’aden I project will integrate cutting-edge direct solar-to-heat technology with advanced thermal storage systems to accelerate the decarbonization of Ma’aden’s aluminum supply chain.

As the first stage of this mega project, the GlassPoint Ma’aden Technology Showcase (GMTS) will demonstrate innovative solar thermal advancements in collaboration with the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA).

Driving innovation and decarbonization

The GMTS will feature advanced technologies developed by GlassPoint. It will enable industrial facilities to reduce heat-related carbon emissions by up to 70% while achieving cost parity with traditional gas-powered steam systems.

These advancements include anticlastic polymer membranes engineered for efficient solar collection.

These membranes provide a lightweight yet durable solution that maximizes solar energy capture, enhancing the system’s overall efficiency while reducing material costs.

Another breakthrough is the use of high-performance niobium mirrors. These mirrors are designed to optimize energy capture by reflecting and concentrating sunlight with exceptional precision.

Their innovative design ensures greater durability and effectiveness, even in challenging environmental conditions, further boosting the system’s reliability and performance.

Ternary liquid salt storage integration represents a significant leap in thermal efficiency. This advanced storage solution allows for the retention and transfer of heat over extended periods, ensuring a consistent energy supply and reducing dependency on intermittent solar availability.

Together, these technologies drive significant cost savings and operational efficiencies, advancing sustainable industrial practices.

These innovations have reduced the solar field’s parts count by 60% and weight by 75%, cutting overall solar field costs by 30% and thermal storage costs by 50%.

Strategic collaborations

GlassPoint is collaborating with MISA to establish a solar manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia to support the project. This facility will enhance the kingdom’s leadership in renewable energy while creating a robust, independent supply chain for high-tech solar components in the region.

Khalid Al Falih, Saudi Minister of Investment, emphasized the project’s significance, “This milestone positions Saudi Arabia as a leader in concentrated solar power-to-steam manufacturing, strengthens our economy, and creates a resilient supply chain.” 

Bob Wilt, CEO of Ma’aden, highlighted the initiative’s alignment with Saudi Arabia’s 2060 net-zero targets, “The GMTS with GlassPoint is a crucial step toward large-scale decarbonization, driving more efficient and sustainable operations across our supply chain.” 

A global vision for decarbonization

GlassPoint CEO Rod MacGregor underscored the project’s broader impact: “Decarbonizing industrial heat is critical for producing low-carbon materials and achieving net-zero goals, representing a US$444 billion global market.

“Partnering with MISA, Ma’aden, and Cox, we are scaling proven solutions to meet this massive opportunity.”

By merging innovation with sustainability, the Ma’aden I project positions Saudi Arabia as a global leader in renewable industrial energy, paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future.

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