Redstone concentrated solar thermal power (CSP) project is a 100MW integrated CSP plant being developed in South Africa. The South Africa Department of Energy (DOE) awarded the contract to develop the CSP project to the consortium of Solar Reserve and ACWA Power, in January 2015. The contract was awarded under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REIPPPP) initiated by the DOE. Redstone is the first of its kind to be developed in Africa and is expected to produce 480,000MW of clean energy a year. It is expected to electrify approximately 210,000 South African households during peak demand and is also anticipated to create more than 3,500 jobs. The CSP project is estimated to involve an investment of $789m and is expected to have an operational life of more than 30 years.
Redstone concentrated solar project location.

The Redstone concentrated solar power plant is being developed in the Humansrus Solar Park located towards the east of Postmasburg, Northern Cape Province. It is located in close proximity to the 96MW Jasper and the 75MW Lesedi photovoltaic (PV) solar power projects developed by Solar Reserve under the REIPPPP. The three projects together become the first combined CSP and PV solar park in the world, with a total generating capacity of 271MW.

The 100MW power plant is capable of electrifying approximately 210,000 households during peak demand. Image courtesy of Solar Reserve.

Redstone concentrated solar project details.

The project will feature Therma Vault technology developed by Solar Reserve, which will combine the solar thermal technology with molten salt energy storage technology. The project design is similar to that of Solar Reserve’s Crescent Dunes project. The CSP technology will be capable of storing thermal energy for a period of 12 hours, which enables the plant to generate electricity through the night in addition to daytime operations. The heliostats of the project follow the sun and reflect the sunlight onto a 250m-tall central receiver tower, which uses molten salt as heat transfer fluid and storage medium. The thermal to electric power conversion unit will comprise 115MW high-temperature subcritical steam turbine- generator units. Auxiliary infrastructure includes two molten salt storage tanks, air-cooled condensers, water purification system, sewage treatment facility, an evaporation pond, emergency diesel generators, electrical switchyard, step-up transformers, and associated facilities. The project also features dry cooling of the power generation cycle, to minimize water usage during operations.

Off-take and transmission of power from Redstone

Eskom entered a 20-year power purchase agreement with the consortium of Solar Reserve and ACWA Power, in April 2018, for the off-take of power generated at the Redstone solar thermal power plant. A new 132kV switching station and a 34km- long 132kV transmission line are proposed to be constructed to connect the project with the national grid.
Financing

African Development Bank (AfDB) approved a ZAR3bn ($192.4m) senior loan for the Redstone CSP project, in November 2018. ACWA Power and Central Energy Fund of South Africa entered a co-operation agreement, in July 2018, for co- investing in the Redstone project. In October 2015, Overseas Private Investment (OPIC) signed an agreement with the project developers and made a commitment to provide $400m debt financing for the CSP project. IFC financed $72m loan and $50m CTF soft loan for the project development as well as acted as the mandated lead technical bank/co-ordinating bank.
Ownership

Apart from Solar Reserve and ACWA Power, other prominent investors of the project include Public Investment Commission (PIC, 13.5%), Old Mutual Life Assurance South Africa (OMLACSA, 10%), Community (12.5%), and Pele Green (4%).
Contractors involved.

Solar Reserve is the supplier of the core technology for the project, including the molten salt receiver, heliostat collector field controls, and tracking system. WorleyParsons was involved in the environmental management program (EMPr) for the Redstone Solar Thermal power plant, in 2015, while Savannah Environmental was engaged for reviewing the EMPr. Acciona Industrial was awarded the engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning contract for the power project. First National Operation and Maintenance (NOMAC), a wholly owned subsidiary of ACWA, is responsible for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of the Redstone concentrated solar thermal power project.

QUESTION 1 (25 Marks)

Acciona Industrial was awarded a tender by the consortium of Solar Reserve and ACWA Power to execute the construction of the power plant. Outline FIVE (5) high level activities that are expected from a project management company to deliver on the customer requirements. (Assuming that the project charter was approved). (5)

Critical success factors (CSFs) are the characteristics, processes, or components that are necessary for a successful outcome. They are important to the success of a project, product, or business. CSFs are typically measurable, quantifiable, and actionable. From the case study given above, point out ten (10) Critical Success Factors that were necessary for the successful delivery of Redstone Concentrated Solar Project. (20)

QUESTION 2 (25 marks)
Develop a three-level graphical representation of a Work Breakdown Structure, using your answers from Question 1.1.

QUESTION 3 (25 marks)
On the 12 July 2022, ESI-Africa Online magazine reported that ACWA commercial operational date for the project to start is scheduled for quarter 4 of 2023, with a firm off-take contract with Eskom of 20 years. Based on all the information provided regarding Redstone Concentrated Solar Project, develop a Project Scope Statement that must be submitted for verification and approval by the board or directors.
QUESTION 4 (25 marks)

The Redstone CSP project is scheduled to be completed in 2023. However, there are a number of challenges that could impact the project schedule, such as the complexity of the project, the remote location of the project, and the tight project schedule. What are some specific strategies that the project team can use to mitigate these risks and ensure that the project is completed on time? (5)

The Redstone CSP project is a large and complex project with a number of interdependencies between the different tasks. How will the project team manage these interdependencies and ensure that the project stays on track? (5)

The Redstone CSP project is using a number of new and innovative technologies. How will the project team manage the risks associated with these new technologies and ensure that they do not impact the project schedule? (5)

The Redstone CSP project is located in a remote area. How will the project team manage the logistics of transporting materials and equipment to the site and ensuring that they are available when needed? (5)

The Redstone CSP project is subject to a number of external factors, such as weather conditions and changes in government regulations. How will the project team manage these external factors and ensure that they do not impact the project schedule?

Answers to Above Questions on Case Study

Answer 1: A project management company is required to perform many such activities in order to deliver quality services as per customer requirement. The five high level activities that are expected from a project management company to deliver quality services as per customer requirements are proper planning, proper definition of a scope, efficient allocation of resources, risk management, proper monitoring and control of the project activities etc.

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