Jet Propulsion Laboratory (U.S.). Solar Salt Pond Power Project.

During the 1960s, salt gradient solar ponds were built and put into service in various countries of the world. Salt gradient ponds are typically large bodies of salt water, 2.5 to 5-m deep. The ponds, depending on size and depth, are capable of storing tremendous amounts of thermal energy and, therefore, can supply energy on a continuous 24-hour/day basis.

The most notable ponds were located on the shores of the Dead Sea in Israel near Ein-Bokek, at Miamisburg, Ohio, and at Albuquerque, New Mexico. A large solar pond plant experiment was also planned at the Salton Sea in Southern California.

After the latter part of 1979, a solar power station on the Dead Sea produced 150Kw electricity by means of a salt gradient solar pond and turbine, which was developed by Ormat Turbines Ltd. This represented the first phase of an overall project to provide electricity on a large scale from the Dead Sea.

Also during 1979, a broader framework a Phase I study effort was approved with Southern California Edison acting as Project Director and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory providing overall technical management. This framework included an environmental assessment to be performed by Westec Services Inc. of San Diego and specified site studies to be performed by JPL and SCE.

The State of California, Southern California Edison, Department of Defense, Department of Energy and Ormat, sponsored the project.