Solar Thermal Power Generation School

What are solar thermal technologies for power generation?

This chapter also covers the recent developments in solar thermal technologies for power generation. In recent times, solar thermal technologies are integrated with conventional fossil-fuelled power plants as well as other renewable energy sources such as biomass, geothermal to improve its performance.

Are solar thermal power plants the future of energy?

With approximately six gigawatts of installed capacity worldwide in 2020, solar thermal power plants are still at the beginning of their market introduction, comparable to photovol-taics 15 years ago or wind energy 25 years ago.

Why are solar thermal power plants important?

Since solar thermal power plants can feed their electricity into the power grid even after sunset, they are of particular value for an energy system based on renewable energy sources. Solar thermal power plants are of strategic importance in sunny countries to be able to phase out coal and gas power plants in the future.

When was solar thermal energy invented?

The major developments that have led to currently available technologies for solar thermal energy applications were initiated mainly after the first oil shock in 1973.

Can solar thermal power plants be integrated with conventional power plants?

Solar thermal power plants have enormous potential to be integrated with the existing conventional power plants. The integration of CSP systems with conventional power plants increases the efficiency, reduces the overall cost, and increases the dispatchability and reliability of the solar power generation system.

Can solar thermal energy be a reliable component of industrial process heat supply?

An IEA working group, in which German research insti-tutions and industrial partners are playing a significant role, is addressing these challenges with the aim of making solar thermal energy a recognised and reliable component of indus-trial process heat supply (IEA 2020: Task 64).