LUZ II is currently developing a solar thermal pilot power plant for performance measurement and technology demonstration. The pilot plant will be built in southern Israel and will commence operations in 2008. 

The Pilot Plant will be a test facility for testing the commercial plant technologies. It will include a heliostat field and a 60 meter high power tower with receivers. The facility will produce superheated steam. Electricity will not be produced.

The main Pilot Project Parameters are: To produce superheated steam at the same temperature and pressure asa 100 MW Power Plant (540 deg.C; 140 Bar). To demonstrate DPT-550 technology performance on a reduced scale. To provide facilities for a complete testing program for system evaluation and improvements. The Pilot Objectives are: Heliostats Reflecting Area: 12,000 m2 Number of Heliostats: 1641 Heliostat Dimensions: 2.25m x 3.25m Reflecting area per Heliostat: 7.31 m2 Distance between rows of Heliostats: from 4.2 m to 10 m Tower Height: 60 m (+ ~15m Receiver) Thermal Energy on receiver: 6 MWth

press here to see: The location of the pilot plant. The layout of the pilot plant A computer render simulation of the Pilot Plant (as seen from the tower)