Ormat Technologies __________________________________________________________________________________________
of these plants , we ’ ve upgraded them by increasing the production and availability of renewable energy , and we have more developments planned to further enhance or strengthen the plants .”
Enhancing efficiency
Ormat has also recently won an Engineering , Procurement , and Construction ( EPC ) contract to deliver the Te Mihi Stage 2 101MW geothermal power plant in New Zealand for Contact Energy . “ We ’ ve worked with Contact Energy for more than 20 years , so we ’ re delighted to have won this latest contract for the Te Mihi plant ,” Elad shares . “ It not only demonstrates the level of customer satisfaction we deliver but also reflects the positive performance of our projects and plants .”
When it comes to research and development , Ormat has a dedicated team to identify opportunities for resource exploration around the globe . “ Staying ahead of the curve is crucial to our success ,” Elad says . “ The world is changing , material costs are rising , and electricity prices are soaring ; there has never been as much emphasis on being more efficient than we were the day before .
“ Our vertical integration is a strategic advantage , however , as we can monitor products for five , ten , or even 20 years to evaluate their long-term usage , the impact of design , and any manufacturing challenges . We have an extensive list of greenfield projects and we ’ re constantly looking to identify opportunities for strategic growth .
“ We ’ ve made significant investments in technology to stay competitive and innovative ,” he continues . “ We ’ re using AI to optimize operations , predict maintenance needs , and improve overall efficiency . By leveraging AI in these ways , we can analyze vast amounts of data to make informed decisions quickly and accurately .
“ We ’ re also solidifying our position as the market leader in Organic Rankin
Cycle technology . By continuing to innovate and improve our systems , we ’ re enhancing efficiency and reliability , making this technology the preferred choice for converting low temperature heat into electricity .”
With many expansion plans in place , we ’ re keen to hear Elad ’ s vision for Ormat ’ s future . “ As we strive to maintain our position as the largest geothermal company in the world , our goal is to expand our operations around the globe by tapping into new markets , leveraging our extensive experience in innovative technologies , and increasing our current capacity ,” he says .
“ We ’ re committed to expanding our BESS capabilities , and considering the everincreasing demand for renewable energy , we aspire to be one of the largest BESS operators in the US . This will not only support the integration of renewable energy into the grid but also provides increased stability and resilience to overall energy infrastructure .
“ Overall ,” Elad concludes , “ our vision for the future is to lead multiple aspects of the energy sector , driving forward the globe ’ s transition to a more sustainable , clean , and resilient energy system .” ■
▼ Elad Zalkin - Senior Vice President of Projects
www . ormat . com
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