Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2011 - Senator Harry Reid's National Clean Energy Summit 4.0 started with the announcement of the world's first hybrid solar and geothermal power plant under construction in Northern Nevada. Sen. Reid was joined by U.S. Secretary of Energy, Dr. Steven Chu, Center for American Progress, CEO John Podesta, Enel Green Power's Francesco Venturini, and Bombard Renewable Energy's Chris Brooks.

The first of its kind hybrid plant combines two of Nevada's most prevalent forms of renewable energy in one power plant. The 24 Megawatt solar portion of the plant is being constructed at the existing Stillwater Geothermal Plant about 75 miles outside of Reno. The construction of the solar plant will create around 150 installation jobs, according to Enel Green Power North America President Francesco Venturini.

Enel Green Power, who owns and operates the existing 65 Megawatt geothermal plant, has teamed up with Las Vegas solar provider, Bombard Renewable Energy, to construct the new solar plant.

"Enel Green Power has wisely and successfully married two clean renewable energy resources that Nevada has in vast abundance," Reid said. "I hope we will see more of these integrated projects."

Combining solar and geothermal systems will allow for a constant flow of energy from the geothermal facility and peak energy from the solar plant. NV Energy has an agreement with Enel Green Power to purchase the energy from the hybrid plant.

Venturini said the Stillwater expansion project will be completed by the end of the year.