Areas of activity
Solar photovoltaic energy
Photovoltaics is a technology that takes advantage of solar energy by converting light from the sun directly into electrical energy. Solar energy is clean, silent, safe, and low-cost.
Grid-connected photovoltaic systems supply the electricity produced directly into the electric grid, allowing for it to be consumed by any connected customer.
Due to government programs encouraging renewable energy, the installed capacity of grid-connected photovoltaics has increased sharply over the past few years. The complex nature of these interconnected systems has required the development of engineering services that, on the one hand, optimize design and operation while, on the other hand, manage impacts on the electric grid, always being careful of system integration and respecting the environment.
The high reliability and long lifetime of photovoltaic systems result in relatively short payback periods. In addition, they hardly require any maintenance and are rather straightforward to install. The modularity of these installations allows scaling in order to adapt to the needs of each user, whether they be for function or economic constraints.
An interesting subsection of photovoltaics is concentrated photovoltaics. ATA is examining this technology as a priority within its R&D plan for the mid- and long-term.
Solar thermal energy
Solar thermal power plants concentrate solar radiation on a liquid in order to generate steam, which then produces electricity through a conventional thermodynamic cycle.
Conceptually they are identical to any type of power plant that uses heat in order to produce electricity through thermodynamic means, such as fossil fuel driven or nuclear plants. The only difference is the manner in which these plants produce heat, such as combustion of hydrocarbons, fission of atoms, concentration of solar energy, etc.
There exist various solar thermal technologies, among which the most important are:
- Parabolic trough
- Power tower
- Dish-Sterling
Other renewable energies and environment
The utilization of renewable energy in its diverse forms is beginning to become considered as an attractive option of electricity productions, both for producers and consumers.
They are particularly attractive at small and medium scale, in zones where there is the available technology, natural resources, electricity demand and electric grid infrastructure.
This important step is taking place because it has been demonstrated in many cases that renewable energy systems are technically viable, economical, and unavoidable from an environmental point of view.
Aside from solar, the primary renewable energies that interest ATA in order to protect the environment are:
- Wind energy
- Biomass and biofuels
- Wave and tidal power
- Mini-hydro energy
- Waste treatment
- Cogeneration