“I am very honored that the Eilat-Eilot Renewable Energy Initiative has recognized my lifelong contributions to renewable energy,” said Arnold Goldman, Chairman Emeritus and Founder of BrightSource Energy. “This honor is to be shared with the extraordinarily talented and passionate members of the BrightSource Energy and Luz International teams, whose hard work resulted in viable renewable energy technologies that are changing the way the world produces energy.”
Each year, at the Eilat-Eilot Renewable Energy Conference, the Eilat-Eilot Renewable Energy Initiative recognizes one individual for their prestigious Lifelong Contribution to Sustainable Energy Award for pioneering work and dedication to renewable energy innovation. Additional key areas of consideration include continuous contribution to the Eilat-Eilot area’s development, long term involvement in Eilat-Eilot initiative and promotion of Israel’s technology. The award was presented to Mr. Goldman by Dr. Uzi Landau, Israel’s Minister of National Infrastructures.
Mr. Goldman has more than three decades of experience in the energy industry. Mr. Goldman was the founder of Luz International, Ltd. and served as its CEO. Mr. Goldman and the Luz International team first proved that concentrated solar energy can be reliably produced in large quantities and cost effectively by building the world’s nine largest solar thermal plants in California’s Mojave Desert between 1984 and 1990. At the time, these nine plants generated 90 percent of the world’s solar electricity, and are still operating profitably today.
Mr. Goldman is currently the Founder and Chairman Emeritus of BrightSource Energy, Inc. BrightSource Energy combines the engineering leadership from Luz International with world-class finance and development capabilities. The company is advancing the solar thermal industry by deploying its leading LPT 550 power tower technology. The company has the largest utility-scale solar backlog in the U.S. – 2,600 megawatts under contract with Pacific Gas & Electric Company and Southern California Edison. The company’s Solar Energy Development Center in Israel’s Negev Desert is producing the world’s highest temperature and pressure solar thermal steam. The company has also recently begun construction on the 392 MW Ivanpah Concentrating Solar Power System in Southern California’s Mojave Desert, the world’s largest solar thermal power plant under construction.
“Arnold is a celebrated pioneer for parabolic trough plants, but his greatest achievement to date will be his foresight to evolve CSP to the power tower system,” said Israel Kroizer, Chief Operating Officer, BrightSource Energy, and President of BrightSource Industries (Israel) Ltd.
“His incredible expertise and astute ability to foresee the future course of the industry have made Arnold a true visionary in the CSP field.”
Mr. Goldman is the recipient of three other international awards for his contribution to solar energy development, including the International Solar Energy Society Achievement Through Action Award “To the Solar Energy Pioneer” (in memorial of Christopher A. Weeks), the European Solar Energy Association’s Euro Solar Augustin-Mouchot-Prize, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from SolarPACES (Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems). He holds numerous patents for his inventions and innovations. In 2009, BrightSource Energy was the recipient of the World Economic Forum’s Technology Pioneer Award in the Energy and Environment category.
The Eilat-Eilot Renewable Energy Conference is hosted by the Eilat-Eilot Renewable Energy Initiative, Israel’s national project to make the southern part of Israel an independent area, sustained exclusively by renewable energy resources by 2020. In its fourth year, the Eilat-Eilot Renewable Energy Initiative is highly respected by leaders in the renewable energy industry worldwide.
BrightSource Energy, Inc. provides clean, reliable and low cost concentrated solar energy for utility and industrial companies worldwide. The BrightSource Energy team has more than thirty years of experience designing, developing, and operating concentrated solar energy plants. BrightSource Energy helps its customers reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and is a leader in environmental stewardship. Headquartered in Oakland, California, BrightSource Energy is a privately held company with operations in the United States and Israel.
