US-based specialty chemicals firm Solutia has been awarded contracts to supply its Therminol VP-1 synthetic heat transfer fluid for two new solar power plants in Spain, it said on Thursday.
The projects are each 50 MW solar power plants with thermal storage located in Extremadura, Spain.
"Therminol heat transfer fluids continue to be selected for concentrating solar power plants around the world," said Sharon Dunn, vice president of commercial services for Solutia's technical specialties division.
"These awards reinforce our capability as a global supplier and demonstrate our commitment to the growing solar industry."
Therminol heat transfer fluid is used in the trough-shaped mirror assemblies to absorb concentrated sunlight, heating up to about 400 degrees Celsius.
This stored heat can be used to produce energy during periods of little to no sunlight, including the evening hours.
The heated Therminol is used to generate steam, which drives the power-generating turbines.