Solar thermal tower power generation case

Can solar thermal power plants guarantee supply security?

Introduction Solar thermal power plants can guarantee supply security by integration of thermal energy storages and/ or by using a solar fossil hybrid operation strategy. Only few technologies among the renewables offer this base- load ability. Therefore it is predicted that they will have a significant market share of the future energy sector.

Can thermal energy storage be used in solar power plants?

Thermal energy storage (TES) with phase change materials (PCM) in solar power plants (CSP). Concept and plant performance C.S. Turchi, M.J. Wagner, and C.F. Kutscher, “Water use in parabolic trough power plants: summary results from WorleyParsons’ analyses,” 2010. [Online].

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.

How does a solar tower power plant work?

In a solar tower power plant, biaxially tracking mirrors, referred to as heliostats, direct the solar radiation onto a central receiver mounted on a tower. A heat transfer medium, usually molten salt or alternatively water / steam or air, absorbs the energy there and transports it to the thermal storage system and to the power plant circuit.

How can a solar thermal power plant withstand a high temperature?

Together with industrial partners, we transfer innovations from the laboratory to large-scale applications. New heat transfer and storage media can withstand temperatures of 600 °C, higher than has previously been possible in solar thermal power plants. This increases the efi-ciency of converting solar radiation into heat and then into electricity.

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.