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The Ashalim power station

The Negev travel guide

The Ashalim power station is a solar power station in the Negev desert near the kibbutz of Ashalim, south of the district city of Be’er Sheva in Israel. It consists of three plots with three different technologies the station combines 3 kinds of energy: solar thermal energy, photovoltaic energy, and natural gas.

In the 1950’s, David Ben-Gurion spoke about his vision for “exploiting the abundant solar energy in our country and especially in the Negev”. Six decades later, drivers to Eilat are witnessing a remarkable shiny site, a thermo-solar power station in Ashlim in the Negev. The uniqueness of the station, whose construction began in 2015, is the production of electricity from energy produced from the radiation of the sun’s rays using half a million mirrors during the day. The mirrors are installed on steel constructions which are fixed to the ground, heating thermal oil inside insulated tubes to a temperature of 400 degrees Celsius. A system of heat exchangers heats water which creates steam that runs a huge turbine. A generator is connected to the turbine that supplies electricity.
Another effect of this station is the ability to store solar energy during the day, which is released during the night and produces additional electricity for about 5 hours and all this as mentioned without direct sunlight. The storage of the additional energy is made possible by means of two large steel tanks (made of steel with a lower wall thickness of about 63 mm and weighing 1,070 tons each), which store inside a special chemical salt that heats up during the day and heats the oil during the night.
The project covers an area of about 400 Hectares, and is expected to supply electricity to about 60,000 households. This amount of electricity is equivalent to 1% of the total national consumption.
The supply of the station is 121 MWh and the annual output is about 450 GWh.
15% of the energy produced at the station is utilized from natural gas that will be transported through pipes laid by the Negev Gas company to the entrance of the station.

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Come to visit Ben-Gurion Desert Home

The Desert Home of Israel’s first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, and his wife Paula, in Kibbutz Sde Boker is a national heritage site. You can visit their Desert Home to see what it was like for Ben-Gurion to live there as a leader and public figure. You can also see his study with a library of 5,000 books. Before you go into the museum, there is a short movie about the life of David Ben-Gurion. He was a man who had a vision for the Negev Desert. There are three different sections in the museum that tell you more about him and his views. The first section is called "The Gypsum house" and it is about the first house that was built on the kibbutz. The second section is called "The Test of time" and it is an interactive activity for the whole family. The last section is called "Leadership exhibition: Who is a leader?" and it is a short film about different aspects of Ben-Gurion's leadership.

Sand surfing, surf on a dune with a board!

In 2012, Dror introduced sand surfing to Israel in the Negev Mountain's spectacular dunes. *We will be happy to host in the desert in a shaded area including: mats, mattresses and pillows, water and herbal tea, suitable music and a lot of love for the desert. The sand on which you will surf and play is soft as silk. It comes from the Sahara desert through the Nile in Sinai and is found only in three places in Israel, including this dune. Surfing is for everyone with us, no previous experience required. Family and group experiences are available for children and grandparents alike. The sport of surfing can be done in a variety of ways on sand boards, including in pairs. Please call in advance for more details: 08-6753636.

Exploring the Negev and Sde Boker in Israel

If you’re looking for a unique, off-the-beaten-path adventure in Israel, look no further than Sde Boker and the surrounding Negev Desert. With its stunning landscapes and rich history, this hidden gem is sure to leave you with memories that will last a lifetime. Here’s why you should plan a trip to the Negev today. What You'll Find at Sde Boker Sde Boker is located in southern Israel, about an hour and a half from Be’er Sheva. It was founded in 1952 by Prime Minister David Ben Gurion who wanted to make the desert bloom. As such, it is home to a kibbutz as well as an archaeological dig site, where visitors can explore ancient stone structures and artifacts dating back centuries. The area also features several trails for hiking and biking, including one which follows the Zin Valley. And if you’re looking for something more relaxing, there are also plenty of nearby nature reserves to explore. History at Sde Boker The area around Sde Boker has been inhabited since prehistoric times and many ancient artifacts have been discovered here. In addition, the area was an important location during biblical times—it was here that Moses and his people passed through on their way from Egypt to Canaan—and this makes it an ideal destination for those interested in religious history. There are even ruins of an old synagogue located near Sde Boker that date back to the Second Temple period (530 BCE–70 CE). The Kedma Hotel Sde Boker There are a variety of hidden gems just waiting to be discovered in the enchanting Negev Desert, thanks to its stunning natural beauty, pollution-free arid climate, and stunning natural beauty. With 163 warm, welcoming rooms and suites in an expansive open-air courtyard surrounded by lush fruit trees and beautiful plants, Kedna is a beautiful awe-inspiring hotel. In the many quiet corners of the grounds, this layout, which evokes days gone by, blends seamlessly with the surrounding scenery and offers a great deal of rest and relaxation. Enjoy the water and shaded areas of this glorious oasis and feel refreshed and rejuvenated when you leave. Additionally, the hotel offers an authentic desert-style restaurant, a luxurious spa with Turkish bath, a peaceful heated pool, a well-equipped fitness room, and plenty of relaxed areas for unwinding after a fun-packed day. Activities Nearby In addition to exploring Sde Boker itself, visitors can take part in all sorts of activities close by. For example, just south of Sde Boker lies Ein Avdat National Park which features beautiful canyons and waterfalls, perfect for swimming or just taking time out to enjoy some peace and quiet away from civilization. Alternatively, those looking for some excitement can head east towards Mitzpe Ramon Crater National Park where they will find numerous caves as well as panoramic views of the desert landscape below them. Or if you're feeling really adventurous why not try skydiving over Eilat? No matter what your interests may be there's something nearby that's sure to pique your interest! Visiting Sde Boker is a fantastic way to get off the beaten path and explore some of Israel’s most breathtaking scenery while learning more about its rich history along the way. Whether you choose to spend your days relaxing among nature or exploring ancient ruins and medieval sites, you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience when visiting Sde Boker and the Negev Desert! So pack your bags now; this is one journey not worth missing!

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