Conceptual design of the Solar Island Prototype
News
| Successfull load test |
21.02.2010 |
In order to test the Solar Islands prototype platform under full nominal load, dummy load blocks have been placed on the platform. The island was then inflated with the nominal overpressure. Hovering and rotation of the platform have been performed as expected.
| Successful Platform Rotation Tests |
04.09.2009 |
The propulsion of the the Solar Islands prototype platform has been successfully tested. A 280 deg. rotation of the 5.500 sqm platform has been done with the full speed of 8 cm/s. Next test will include the full load of about 40 kg/m2.
| Visit of Swiss Minister |
14.05.2009 |
The Swiss Interior Minister Pascal Couchepin visited the construction site of the Solar Islands prototype in Ras al Khaimah. He was very impressed by this new technology.
The Solar Islands project received the "Prix Evenir" of the Swiss Petroleum Association (Schweizer Erdöl-Vereinigung).
| Energy Globe Award |
13.04.2009 |
The Solar Islands project received the "Honorary National ENERGY GLOBE Award United Arab Emirates".
Photo of the award presentation
| First functional test successfull |
04.12.2008 |
The first functional test of the Solar Islands platform was concluded successfully. A slight overpressure was created below the main membrane, which bulged nicely as expected: Photo of inflated foil.
| Platform errection done |
20.11.2008 |
The errection procedure of the Solar Islands platform is finished: All polystyrene spacers, steel cables and connector plates are installed: Photo of erected platform.
| Detailed Design |
24.09.2008 |
The detailed design of all solar themal modules and all interconnecting parts is finished. See 3D View of Island Centre.
Manufacturing and installation of all components has started.
| Prototype Top-Out |
03.07.2008 |
The work at the steel torus is finished and the main membrane is applied: Top-Out done!, see photo.
| Island Prototype now visible |
21.05.2008 |
The prototype of the Solar Island is now "visible", as the steel torus is placed in the circular water trench and the inner part is already covered by the protection membrane, see aerial photo.
| Clip at SF1 Einstein magazine |
20.03.2008 |
The Swiss TV channel SF1 shows in the magazine Einstein a clip about Solar Islands. Few days before, pouring of concrete for the circular water trench has started at the field in RAK: picture.
| Production of Building Elements Started |
08.02.2008 |
The leveling work at the Solar Islands field in RAK (Ras Al Khaimah) is finished. Now the civil engineering work will start. In parallel the production of several construction items have been started by various suppliers. For example the elements of the steel torus are under production: picture.
| Ground Breaking in RAK |
03.12.2007 |
Today the work at the Solar Islands prototype field in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) in the United Arab Emirates started. After some soil investigations the ground leveling work will start.
| Solar Islands in TV magazine "Nouvo" |
29.11.2007 |
The Swiss TV channel TSR1 showed in the "Nouvo" magazine a clip on the Solar Islands project. The video clip is now online at nouvo.ch (watch out for more bonus videos on lower right side) and also on Youtube .
| New start-up created: Nolaris SA |
03.10.2007 |
CSEM created a new start-up named "Nolaris SA". Nolaris will design and manufacture the solar thermal modules for the Solar Islands project. The experts from Nolaris will also be responsible for the entire thermal loop, e.g. from the direct steam generation, heat storage, steam turbine, up to the electricity generation.
For more details see the CSEM Press Release: English - Deutsch.
| Construction Site in RAK |
05.07.2007 |
The construction site for the land based Solar Islands prototype was now defined in RAK (Ras Al Khaimah). The RAK Investment Authority provided a very well suited site in the industrial area of RAK, 1 km off the shore and next to R.A.K Ceramics and to the building of CSEM-UAE. See also the picture of the construction site.
In order to test the Solar Islands prototype platform under full nominal load, dummy load blocks have been placed on the platform. The island was then inflated with the nominal overpressure. Hovering and rotation of the platform have been performed as expected.
