To some, solar power represents the perfect environmental energy source, one which will be ever present so long as the sun continues to shine. Arguments for solar power also draw on the fact that solar power plants promote clean energy production by producing virtually nothing in the way of pollution, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the carbon footprint of a project.
Solar energy itself is typically captured through solar collectors that absorb the impact of sunlight and transform it into heat. During this process the collectors diffuse the radiation of the sunlight, which is absorbed by a thermal fluid that travels through the system, transferring heat to the process through heat exchangers arranged according to requirements.
Insulation of the bottom and sides of the manifold minimises heat loss from the collector, with a flat solar collector capable of reaching a temperature of about 120 degrees centigrade. The cover is made ÔÇïÔÇïof a special glass, anti-reflective tempered glass, which is also designed to ensure lower energy loss. In addition, this glass protects the collector against the effects of dust and rain.
Headquartered in Las Condes, a commune in Santiago Province, Chile, Energia Llaima/Sunmark specialises in the supply of heat from solar thermal plants through the maintaining of service contracts. These contracts stipulate that the company make all the necessary investments in bringing a plant to life, taking direct responsibility for the installation, operation and maintenance of the facility in question. This is very much a modern model of business in this part of the world and is one that allows energy companies to focus their own efforts and resources on their core business, while Energia Llaima/Sunmark remains responsible for obtaining solar energy and creating the economic savings that this energy source brings in the long term.
Energia Llaima/Sunmark acts as an energy service company, designing, developing, installation, operating and financing solar energy projects, with the principle aims of reducing investment costs, and operation and maintenance outlay for the client. These aims are hugely significant for the company’s clients, the majority of whom are now benefiting from the relatively stable price of solar energy compared to the volatility of conventional fuel markets in recent years.
As the name suggests, Energia Llaima/Sunmark is the product of a strategic alliance between two entities that could already boast impressive legacies within their fields of expertise. Managed by a highly experience team and backed by a group of important Chilean financial investors, Energia Llaima has always been dedicated to the development, implementation and operation of renewable energy projects centred on both solar thermal and mini-hydroelectrical sources.
In the latter category the company has been responsible for projects including the Central Guaiacum Hydroelectric Plant, a 12MW facility located in Rio Maipo, which has been in operation since September 2010. Today the company can be found in the process of developing a further 15 hydroelectric projects, ranging in capacity from 2.5MW to 18MW. Meanwhile, from a solar thermal perspective, Energia Llaima has spent the last two years conducting studies into how such power generation can be made applicable to the mining sector.
Sunmark on the other hand is a world leader when it comes to large-scale solar thermal solutions. With over 22 years of experience in building solar panels and distributed heat distribution systems, Sunmark’s project offering comes with full ISO:9001 and Solar Keymark certifications. The company’s operations and projects can be found in numerous countries, in each of which its employees commit to Sunmark’s principles of superior sustainability, reliability, efficiency in production and economic rationality.
In 2012, Energia Llaima/Sunmark invested more than $300 million into projects that will take place over the following five years and will boast a combined capacity of between 130MW and 140MW during that time period.
One of the bigger projects to take place since the aforementioned investment programme began has been the construction and operation of a thermal solar plant of behalf of Minera Gaby, located southwest of Calama, at a cost of $26 million. The agreement for this particular project, valued at $60 million, will see Energia Llaima/Sunmark oversee the operations and maintenance of the plant for a minimum of ten years.
With three other major solar projects, as well as large hydroelectric projects set to occur at Cuenca Bio Bio, Cuenca Cautin, Cuenca Ranco and Rio Maipo, all now also in various stages of development, the future certainly looks sunny for Energia Llaima/Sunmark.
Written by Will Daynes, research by Louisa Adcock
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