Solar thermal power generation research

What is solar thermal power generation?

Harnessing solar energy for electric power generation is one of the growing technologies which provide a sustainable solution to the severe environmental issues such as climate change, global warming, and pollution. This chapter deals with the solar thermal power generation based on the line and point focussing solar concentrators.

When was solar thermal technology invented?

The power generation for commercial applications using solar thermal technologies was started in 1985. In the present scenario, solar thermal technologies are getting more attention among other renewable energy technologies as it has high reliability and dispatchability because of its low-cost storage capability.

Is solar thermal energy a suitable solution for process heat applications?

Heat energy is preferred as compared to electrical energy to meet the energy requirement of various applications in the process industries. Therefore, the solar thermal energy system is considered to be one of the attractive solutions for producing thermal energy for process heat applications.

What are the industrial applications of solar thermal energy?

In this article, an extensive review of various solar thermal energy technologies and their industrial applications are presented. The following industries are covered: power generation, oil and gas, pulp & paper, textile, food processing & beverage, pharmaceutical, leather, automotive, and metal industries.

How can solar thermal components reduce the cost of electricity generation?

Advancements in the design of the solar thermal components improve the performance and consequently reduce the cost of electricity generation. This chapter discusses all the available CSP technologies and highlights the various design and operational parameters on which the overall efficiency of the solar power plants depends.

Which thermodynamic cycle is used for solar thermal power generation?

Rankine, Brayton, and Stirling cycle are commonly used thermodynamic cycles for solar thermal power generation. The integration of thermal energy storage and hybridization of solar thermal energy systems with conventional power generation systems improves the performance and dispatchability of the solar thermal systems.