05-03-2021

OHL Gutermuth becomes a key global player in solar energy

The leading manufacturer of special industrial valves OHL Gutermuth from Altenstadt has expanded its global activities and now supplies its products to almost all the major solar projects around the world. Thanks to its many years of experience in the solar industry, the company can guarantee unparalleled safety with its individually developed valves, even under the most extreme conditions. In the future-driven market for renewable energy, customers around the globe benefit from the exceptionally high, long-lasting quality of the OHL Gutermuth valves, as well as the specialist expertise and service provided by the company.

Unparalleled safety in the field of sustainable energy
Solar energy is an integral part of a sustainable future and is becoming more and more important. Throughout the world, the focus is increasingly being placed on solar technology, which is now much more cost-efficient thanks to the latest state-of-the-art technology. The plants are becoming larger and more complex, and this is precisely why it is more important than ever to ensure that safety considerations are not neglected. The most stringent demands must be placed on the reliability of all the components, not least on the valves that are used. For the solar sector, OHL Gutermuth developed an innovative series of valves at an early stage, with which the company has been able to continually strengthen its market leadership. OHL Gutermuth’s numerous customers have repeatedly confirmed that the company’s tailor-made solutions ensure an unparalleled level of safety — whether in the field of CSP (concentrated solar power), which essentially consists of parabolic trough systems, or Molten Salt tower systems. At the extremely high temperatures of up to 780 degrees and pressures of up to 180 bar, special pumps, tanks and heat exchangers are particularly important, and these all require special customised valves. Here, OHL Gutermuth is the partner of choice thanks to its extensive experience and unsurpassed long-lasting quality.

The right climate is essential
By their very nature, solar plants tend to be located where there are not only a large number of hours of sunshine throughout the year, but also a clear, unpolluted climate. The world's largest plant currently in operation is located near Marrakech in Morocco with a capacity of 1000 MW. An even larger facility is being built in Dubai. What both projects have in common is that they rely on OHL Gutermuth’s advanced technology and highly reliable special valves. Hundreds of high-pressure butterfly valves made by the company are in use here in nominal sizes up to 64" and with pressure ranges up to ANSI CLASS 1500#.

A global player for global customers
The market for modern solar plants is particularly dynamic. Numerous operators, including state-owned corporations, are highly active in this sector. The world’s largest is China with the state-run POWERCHINA group — and here, too, the decision was made in favour of the innovative special valves from OHL Gutermuth. For large-scale projects in particular, long-term costing over many years is essential in order to ensure profitability. This is a prerequisite for a competitive alternative energy plant. The low-maintenance valves from OHL Gutermuth are outstandingly robust and durable. As a result, they are not only more reliable but also more economical than “cheaper” alternatives over the entire life cycle of the project. Major customers have stated that practically no maintenance is required, even in plants that have been in operation for decades. And this explains the very favourable Total Cost of Ownership.

In-house production guarantees maximum safety and flexibility
All valves supplied by OHL Gutermuth are made exclusively in the company’s own production facilities. From design to production to testing, everything is carried out at OHL Gutermuth in Germany. This guarantees both the highest level of safety and reliability, and maximum flexibility for whatever special solutions and modifications the customer requires. Instead of simply developing products and putting them on the market, completely individual, tailor-made valves are developed that perfectly meet the requirements of the customer and their specific application. Only in this way can the highest level of sustainable safety and reliability be ensured.

The reliable partner for a successful future with solar energy
Extensive experience and a proven track record in the solar sector make OHL Gutermuth the ideal partner — especially where maximum safety is essential. The close collaboration with the customer and OHL Gutermuth’s high level of flexibility help to generate the innovative solutions that are needed to ensure sustainable success.