Outokumpu supplies 650 tons of steel quarto plates for US solar energy project

ESPOO, FINLAND (Scrap Monster): Outokumpu OYJ, the global leader in stainless steel, has supplied  650 tonnes of stainless steel quarto plates for the construction of a hot nitrate salt storage tank used at the Crescent Dunes Solar Energy power plant located in Tonapah, Nevada, USA.

 The salt storage tank is part of heat storage system which allows energy to be stored for 10-15 hours. The technology enables the solar plant to operate without interruptions and thus contributes to making solar energy commercially feasible.

The quarto plates made out of heat resistant stainless steel grade 347H are delivered to Felguera IHI who is responsible for the fabrication all the way to commissioning of salt storage system to the new solar power plant. The plates are produced in Outokumpu quarto plate unit in Degerfors, Sweden.

The hot service environment of 600 degrees Celsius in this salt storage tank sets high requirements on the material selection. Outokumpu was chosen due to technical expertise and the heat resistant grade specified offers high corrosion resistance and ability to handle elevated temperatures.

"Solar energy is increasing in importance as a renewable energy source due to technological advancements. We hope this case increases the awareness of the use and benefits of stainless steel in the area of solar energy production", says Erik Johansson from Outokumpu.

The Crescent Dunes Solar Energy power plant, belonging to Solar Reserves, is the first commercial scale solar power facility in the USA and upon completion also the largest of its kind in the world providing a renewable energy source to some 75 000 households. The project is estimated to complete in 15 months.