PAWTUCKET, RHODE ISLAND: As companies all over the globe are working hard to make the process of extracting oil and gas cleaner, a California-based Teknor Apex partner, Hyperlight Energy, has developed an innovative concentrated solar power (CSP) system to sustainably and affordably decarbonize oil recovery. CSP projects usually look like massive fields of mirrors with one tall tower in the middle. This new, unique American-made renewable energy technology is quite different and was just featured in Advancements hosted by Ted Danson, which aired on CNBC, December 18, 2021.
Traditional CSP projects have to operate at massive scale and can use a Golden Gate bridge’s worth of steel. Hyperlight developed an affordable and reliable CSP system, called Hylux™, using domestically produced, recyclable tubes made from Teknor Apex vinyl compounds. Hyperlight uses the Apex® compound to extrude a hollow profile to hold the mirrors for the CSP technology – completely replacing the traditional steel in this component. The Teknor Apex compound contributes to this sustainable solution while providing other key benefits such as UV stability - ensuring no cracking or degradation over time.
“Today we have a simple, robust, low-cost system that eliminates 90 percent of the expensive steel and concrete of traditional CSP by replacing that with plastic,” said John King, Hyperlight CEO. “The team at Teknor was incredible in our development – offering their full support and process engineering knowledge at every step of our project to optimize the end result. Their technical support and materials solutions enabled us to achieve unprecedented level performance. They have been an important partner and have been able to scale to our requirements.”
“We were thrilled to work with Hyperlight on this project which ties directly to our own sustainability goals. Providing domestically-produced and recyclable PVC compound has allowed for a greener and more affordable alternative to traditional concentrated solar projects,” said Mike Patel, Director of Marketing for Teknor Apex, Vinyl Division.
After more than a decade of research and development, Hyperlight has demonstrated the technology in multiple successive generations, at a fraction of the size and cost of traditional CSP projects.
About Teknor Apex: Teknor Apex Company, a privately held firm founded in 1924, is one of the world’s leading custom compounders of plastics. Teknor Apex produces flexible and rigid vinyl, thermoplastic elastomers, nylons, color masterbatches, specialty chemicals, and hoses. The company is headquartered in Pawtucket, RI, U.S.A. and operates thirteen manufacturing facilities worldwide in the United States, Belgium, Germany, China, and Singapore. To learn more visit: www.teknorapex.com.
About Hyperlight Energy: Hyperlight Energy has developed the world’s lowest-cost solar steam technology – called “Hylux™”. The company manufactures Hylux™, its flagship product, in its San Diego-based manufacturing plant out of domestically sourced recyclable plastic tubes. Hyperlight continues to work with world-class scientific and utility organizations to accelerate the global energy transition. They are ready for full scale production and is currently open to crowdfunding.