Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems International Energy Agency (IEA) Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems Annual Report 2010 Edited by C. Richter in cooperation with J. Blanco, P. Heller, M. Mehos A. Meier, R. Meyer Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. Cover picture: Part of the 1.5 MW Maricopa Dish Stirling Plant at Peoria, Arizona. (Photo Courtesy SES) International Energy Agency (IEA) Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems SolarPACES Annual Report 2010 Edited by C. Richter in cooperation with J. Blanco P. Heller M. Mehos A. Meier R. Meyer June, 2011 Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. Köln/Germany ii ANNUAL REPORT 2010 SOLARPACES Further information on the IEA-SolarPACES Program can be obtained from the Secretary, from the Operating Agents or from the SolarPACES web site on the Internet http://www.SolarPACES.org. The opinions and conclusions expressed in this report are those of the authors and not of DLR. Editors Dr. Christoph Richter Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. Tel.: +34 950 271486 Executive Secretary Institute of Solar Research Fax: +34 950 260315 SolarPACES Aptdo. 39 e-mail: [email protected] 04200 Tabernas (Almería) Spain Mark Mehos National Renewable Energy Laboratory Tel: +1 303 3847458 Operating Agent Task I (NREL) Fax: +1 303 3847495 1617 Cole Blvd. e-mail: [email protected] Golden, CO 80401-3393 Dr. Anton Meier Paul Scherrer Institute Tel.:+41-56-3102788 Operating Agent Task II CH-5232 Villigen-PSI Fax: +41-56-3103160 Switzerland e-mail: [email protected] Peter Heller Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. Tel: +34 950 362817 Operating Agent Task III Institute of Solar Research Cell: +34 629541729 Apartado 39 Fax: +34 950 365313 04200 Tabernas, email: [email protected] Spain Dr. Richard Meyer Dr. Richard Meyer Cell: +49 151 1477 2775 Task Representative Task V Director Information& Analytics Tel: +49 40 767 9638-12 Suntrace GmbH Fax: +49 40 767 9638-20 Brandstwiete 46 e-mail: [email protected] 20457 Hamburg Germany Dr. Julián Blanco Galvez Dr. Julián Blanco Gálvez Tel.: +34 950 387939 Operating Agent Task VI Plataforma Solar de Almería Fax: +34 950 365015 Aptdo. 22 e-mail: [email protected] 04200 Tabernas Spain SOLARPACES FOREWORD iii Foreword June 2010 Hello All, The 2010 Annual Report comes to you at a very busy time for SolarPACES, as following the IEA procedures, we are now finishing our current 2007-2011 five-year term and preparing for the next one. The past term has witnessed impressive worldwide dynamic growth of CSP plants led by Spain and the US, and rapid parallel growth in SolarPACES membership, from 12 to 20 member countries. This increased strength helped reinforce our worldwide dissemination activities, most visibly in this year’s 17th SolarPACES Symposium, which is expected to have an attendance of nearly 1000. We are very pleased to see how this traditional event has grown in response to the increasing need for an independent platform where experts from R&D, industry, policy and financing can meet. Maintaining and increasing the impact and quality of the SolarPACES Symposium will be one of the high priority tasks in the upcoming five-year term starting in 2012. Global power supply has risen significantly in the political agenda of many countries as a consequence of the tragic Fukushima accident last March. Renewable Energies in general had already achieved a significant share in the overall energy mix in many countries, and this trend seems to have received stronger political support since then. As the shares of fluctuating renewable sources increase, the ability of each technology to match demand is of growing importance, and concentrating solar technologies, with their specific potential to provide short- term (thermal/power) and long-term chemical storage, have a lot to contribute to the optimal integration of the largest renewable source of clean, sustainable and affordable energy still to be tapped, the sun. Against this background in the coming term, an even stronger SolarPACES will focus on the internationally coordinated development and deployment of concentrating solar technologies to further reduce cost, increase dispatchability, and reinforce awareness of the benefits of CST. While we are still heading in the same direction, personal changes are sometimes unavoidable. We want to express our most heartfelt gratitude to our former Chairman, Dr. Thomas Mancini of Sandia National Laboratories, who resigned as Chairman in April 2011, after serving SolarPACES for seven years in this capacity (and many more years as Operating Agent). We are all indebted to Tom Mancini’s dedicated effort to the progress and development of the SolarPACES Implementing Agreement. The growing SolarPACES community will stay in close touch and wishes him a sunny retirement. As we are now looking forward to the election of a new Chairman in the autumn ExCo Meeting, we would also like to express our gratitude to the continuing Operating Agents and ExCo Members of SolarPACES for their dedication to our common goals, and hope to keep on working with this great team in the future. , Robert Pitz-Paal Christoph Richter Acting Chair Executive Secretary iv ANNUAL REPORT 2010 SOLARPACES SOLARPACES TABLE OF CONTENTS v Table of Contents Page FOREWORD R. Pitz-Paal and C. Richter ................................................................................................................................................ iii LIST OF ACRONYMS.................................................................................................................................................... ix 1 REPORT OF THE SOLARPACES EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR 2010 C. Richter.............................................................................................................................................................. 1.1 1.1 Objectives, Strategy and Scope ................................................................................................................. 1.1 1.2 Participation of Countries, R&D Institutions, Utilities and Industry ......................................................... 1.3 1.3 The SolarPACES Work Program .............................................................................................................. 1.4 1.4 Coordination with Other Bodies ................................................................................................................ 1.4 1.5 Information Dissemination ........................................................................................................................ 1.5 1.6 SolarPACES Awards ................................................................................................................................. 1.5 2. COOLING OF CSP PLANTS C. Turchi, M. J. Wagner, C. Kutscher C. Richter ................................................................................................. 2.1 2.1 Water Consumption in Parabolic Trough Plants ....................................................................................... 2.1 2.2 Dry cooling with Heller systems including cold water storage.................................................................. 2.4 2.3 References: ................................................................................................................................................ 2.5 3 TASK I: SOLAR THERMAL ELECTRIC SYSTEMS M. Mehos ............................................................................................................................................................. 3.1 3.1 Nature of Work & Objectives ................................................................................................................... 3.1 3.2 Organization and structure: ....................................................................................................................... 3.1 3.3 Status of the Technology ........................................................................................................................... 3.1 3.4 Reported Task I activities .......................................................................................................................... 3.2 3.4.1 SolarPACES International Project Database ............................................................................ 3.3 3.4.2 Development of Guidelines for CSP Performance Models ...................................................... 3.5 3.4.3 Performance Acceptance Test Guidelines for Parabolic Trough Solar Fields .......................... 3.6 4 TASK II: SOLAR CHEMISTRY RESEARCH A. Meier. .............................................................................................................................................................. 4.1 4.1 Nature of Work & Objectives ................................................................................................................... 4.1 4.2 Status of Technology ................................................................................................................................. 4.1 4.2.1. Solar Production of Energy Carriers ........................................................................................ 4.2 4.2.2. Solar Processing of chemical commodities ............................................................................ 4.12 4.3 Publications ............................................................................................................................................. 4.12 5 TASK III: SOLAR TECHNOLOGY AND ADVANCED APPLICATIONS P. Heller ...............................................................................................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • January 21, 2011 Legislative Briefing
    Hawaii Energy Policy Forum Hawaii 2011: The State of Clean Energy HEPF's 7th Annual Energy Informational Briefing to the Hawaii State Legislature • Friday, January 21, 2011 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Hawaii State Capitol Agenda 10:00am to 11:20am: Auditorium at the Capitol Hear Hawaii’s “State of Energy” from the Energy Policy Forum. This fast paced event will focus on key industry needs for the 2011 session. 10:00am: Hawaii: The State of Clean Energy • Welcome and Overview - Jay Fidell • Opening Remarks – Representative Hermina Morita • “Hawaii: The State of Clean Energy” – HNN Producer Linda Brock • The State of Clean Energy: “Clean Energy: Have We Come a Long Way, Baby…Or Not?” • Steve Lindenberg, Senior Advisor, Renewable Energy, US Department of Energy • Reports o Vanguard Issues – Report from the Policy Dialogue - Mike Hamnett, Co-chair, Hawai‘i Energy Policy Forum o Clean Energy – Report on Measuring Hawaii’s Clean Energy Performance - Carl Freedman, HEPF Regulatory Reform Co-chair 10:30am: Energy Initiatives for 2011 • Policy Issues in Play – Representative Hermina Morita • Excitement at the Utilities o Robbie Alm, Executive Vice President, Hawaiian Electric Company 2011 Legislative Briefing Hawaii Energy Policy Forum o David Bissell, CFO and Acting CEO, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (2011 Leg. Briefing Presentation_Bissell) • The Regulatory Environment: Achievements, Challenges, and the Future o Carlito Caliboso, Chairman, Public Utilities Commission (2011 Leg. Briefing Presentation_Caliboso) • Energy Industry Pacesetters: o Global Leaders—Are We? Can We Be? – Darren Kimura, Sopogy (2011 Leg. Briefing Presentation_Kimura) o Can an Island Go Green: The Lanai Experience? – Chris Lavvorn, Director of Alternative Energy, Castle & Cooke Resorts (2011 Leg.
    [Show full text]
  • Concentrating Solar Power Technologies
    COM/ENV/EPOC/IEA/SLT(2004)8 OECD ENVIRONMENT DIRECTORATE INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY INTERNATIONAL ENERGY TECHNOLOGY COLLABORATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION Case Study 1: Concentrating Solar Power Technologies Cédric Philibert International Energy Agency Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 2004 International Energy Agency Organisation de Coopération et de Développement Economiques Agence internationale de l'énergie COM/ENV/EPOC/IEA/SLT(2004)8 Copyright OECD/IEA, 2004 Applications for permission to reproduce or translate all or part of this material should be addressed to: Head of Publications Service, OECD/IEA 2 rue André Pascal, 75775 Paris Cedex 16, France or 9, rue de la Fédération, 75739 Paris Cedex 15, France 2 COM/ENV/EPOC/IEA/SLT(2004)8 FOREWORD This document was prepared by the OECD and IEA Secretariats at the request of the Annex I Expert Group on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Annex I Expert Group oversees development of analytical papers for the purpose of providing useful and timely input to the climate change negotiations. These papers may also be useful to national policy makers and other decision- makers. In a collaborative effort, authors work with the Annex I Expert Group to develop these papers. However, the papers do not necessarily represent the views of the OECD or the IEA, nor are they intended to prejudge the views of countries participating in the Annex I Expert Group. Rather, they are Secretariat information papers intended to inform Member countries, as well
    [Show full text]
  • Insights Series 2017 Renewable Energy for Industry
    Renewable Energy for Industry From green energy to green materials and fuels Cédric Philibert The views expressed in this paper do not necessarily reflect the views or policy of the International Energy Agency (IEA) Secretariat or of its individual member countries. The paper does not constitute advice on any specific issue or situation. The IEA makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, in respect of the paper’s content (including its completeness or accuracy) and shall not be responsible for any use of, or reliance on, the paper. Comments are welcome, directed to [email protected]. INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY The International Energy Agency (IEA), an autonomous agency, was established in November 1974. Its primary mandate was – and is – two-fold: to promote energy security amongst its member countries through collective response to physical disruptions in oil supply, and provide authoritative research and analysis on ways to ensure reliable, affordable and clean energy for its 29 member countries and beyond. The IEA carries out a comprehensive programme of energy co-operation among its member countries, each of which is obliged to hold oil stocks equivalent to 90 days of its net imports. The Agency’s aims include the following objectives: n Secure member countries’ access to reliable and ample supplies of all forms of energy; in particular, through maintaining effective emergency response capabilities in case of oil supply disruptions. n Promote sustainable energy policies that spur economic growth and environmental protection in a global context – particularly in terms of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions that contribute to climate change. n Improve transparency of international markets through collection and analysis of energy data.
    [Show full text]
  • Access Rights for the Solar User: in Search of the Best Statutory Approach
    Land & Water Law Review Volume 16 Issue 2 Article 3 1981 Access Rights for the Solar User: In Search of the Best Statutory Approach Robert W. Tiedeken Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarship.law.uwyo.edu/land_water Recommended Citation Tiedeken, Robert W. (1981) "Access Rights for the Solar User: In Search of the Best Statutory Approach," Land & Water Law Review: Vol. 16 : Iss. 2 , pp. 501 - 523. Available at: https://scholarship.law.uwyo.edu/land_water/vol16/iss2/3 This Comment is brought to you for free and open access by Law Archive of Wyoming Scholarship. It has been accepted for inclusion in Land & Water Law Review by an authorized editor of Law Archive of Wyoming Scholarship. Tiedeken: Access Rights for the Solar User: In Search of the Best Statutory COMMENTS ACCESS RIGHTS FOR THE SOLAR USER: IN SEARCH OF THE BEST STATUTORY APPROACH "In the final analysis, almost all the energy avail- able to man is solar: fossil fuels are simply the stored legacy of past photosynthesis, the fissionable elements are formed in a solar furnace; and a ther- monuclear,1 fusion reaction is essentially a miniature sun." The above statement contains a profound fact that was long overlooked in our energy consumptive society. Not until the oil embargo of 1973 did the United States begin to consider solar energy as a viable, efficient replacement for the energy needs of the country. Clearly the substitu- tion of solar for fossil fuels or nuclear energy would re- quire enormous capital expenditure, however, solar power is extremely attractive as a source of energy at the local level.2 Moreover, with the onslaught of the need to develop new energy sources it was soon discovered that the legal system did not encourage the wide-scale development of solar power.
    [Show full text]
  • Report on the Database on Laws and Policies Related to Renewable Energy
    Report on the Database on Laws and Policies Related to Renewable Energy Prepared by Véronique Robichaud Report and database prepared for The Commission for Environmental Cooperation 28 February 2006 Database on Laws and Policies Related to Renewable Energy Table of Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 3 Definitions ..................................................................................................................................................... 4 Financial Incentives................................................................................................................................... 4 Corporate Tax Incentives...................................................................................................................... 4 Direct Equipment Sales......................................................................................................................... 4 Grant Programs ..................................................................................................................................... 4 Industrial Recruitment Incentives ......................................................................................................... 4 Leasing/Lease Purchase Programs........................................................................................................ 5 Loan Programs.....................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN 2009–2028
    Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN 2009–2028 Docket No. 2007-0084 September 30, 2008 Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. HECO IRP-4 Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS Page EXECUTIVE SUMMARY…………………………………………………………. ES-1 1 INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................1-1 1.1 Purpose of IRP.............................................................................................................................. 1-1 1.2 Commission Ruling on HECO IRP-3 ......................................................................................... 1-1 1.3 May 2007 Evaluation Report....................................................................................................... 1-1 1.4 Major Changes since HECO IRP-3 ............................................................................................ 1-4 1.4.1 Hawaii Global Warming Solutions - Act 234 ............................................................................ 1-4 1.4.2 Hawaii Renewable Portfolio Standard ....................................................................................... 1-4 1.4.3 Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative..................................................................................................1-5 1.4.4 Biofuels Legislation ................................................................................................................... 1-5 1.4.5 Renewable Energy Infrastructure Program Docket...................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • California's Solar Shade Control
    California’s Solar Shade Control Act A Review of the Statutes and Relevant Cases Scott J. Anders Kevin Grigsby Carolyn Adi Kuduk Taylor Day Updated March 2010 Originally Published January 2007 Energy Policy Initiatives Center University of San Diego School of Law University of San Diego, 5998 Alcalá Park, San Diego, CA 92110 ◆ www.sandiego.edu/epic Disclaimer: The materials included in this paper are intended to be for informational purposes only, and should not be considered a substitute for legal advice in any particular case. About EPIC The Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC) is a nonprofit academic and research center of the USD School of Law that studies energy policy issues affecting the San Diego region and California. EPIC integrates research and analysis, law school study, and public education, and serves as a source of legal and policy expertise and information in the development of sustainable solutions that meet our future energy needs. For more information, please visit the EPIC website at www.sandiego.edu/epic. © 2010 University of San Diego. All rights reserved. Solar Shade Control Act Table of Contents 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................1 1.1. Organization of the Paper.................................................................................................................................1 2. The Solar Shade Control Act....................................................................................................................................3
    [Show full text]
  • Solar Skyspace B
    Minnesota Journal of Law, Science & Technology Volume 15 Issue 1 Article 19 2014 Solar Skyspace B Kk K. DuVivier Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarship.law.umn.edu/mjlst Recommended Citation Kk K. DuVivier, Solar Skyspace B, 15 MINN. J.L. SCI. & TECH. 389 (2014). Available at: https://scholarship.law.umn.edu/mjlst/vol15/iss1/19 The Minnesota Journal of Law, Science & Technology is published by the University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing. Solar Skyspace B K.K. DuVivier* I. Introduction ........................................................................... 389 II. The Solar Skyspace Problem ............................................... 391 A. Technology Considerations ..................................... 391 B. Solar Skyspace B ...................................................... 394 III. The Rise and Fall of Solar Access Right Legislation ........ 395 A. Strongest State Solar Access Protections ............... 399 B. State Solar Easement Statutes ............................... 403 C. State Statutes Authorizing Local Regulation of Solar Access.............................................................. 406 D. Local Solar Ordinances .............................................. 408 E. Other Solar Legislation that Has Been Eroded ........ 412 IV. A Case for Stronger Legislative Protections for Solar Skyspace B ...................................................................... 414 A. Common Law Rationales ......................................... 415 1. Ad Coelum Doctrine ..........................................
    [Show full text]
  • Use Laws to Preserve Trees
    A Western Street Tree Management Symposium Presentation ~ Integration of the California Solar Act with Urban Forestry ~ Trees & Climate Change Los Angeles County Arboretum, California Ayers Hall January 14, 2010 Presented by: Dave Dockter, Environmental City Planner-- ASCA, ISA, APA City of Palo Alto Planning Department, California, USA California Solar Act & Urban Forestry~Integration Topical Agenda I. Solar Systems 101, the basics II. The CA Solar Act (Public Resources Code) Relationship to trees and fiscal impact III.The CA Santa Clara v. Sunnyvale Case IV.The Graphics & Shadow Study Components V. Summary Discussion with Attendees Targeted Audiences: Solar Unit Sales Managers, Resident Property Owners,l Urban Forest Mangers, Architects, Arborists who Consult, Attorneys, Planning and Council Commissioners,Govt. staff, Landscape Architects, Educators & Students, Engineers, Environmental Consultants, PE’s SUMMARY SLIDE: Where are the trees governed by codes? California Solar Act & Urban Forestry~Integration STREET TREES: 1 MUNI-CODE/CITY PROPERTY 1 2 2 RESIDENTIAL TREES: TREE ORDINANCE COMMERCIAL 4 PROPERTY TREES: ZONING, 3 HILLSIDE, COASTAL, STREAMSIDE OR 3 OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL SITE SCHEME ORDINANCES 4 SOLAR ACCESS: CA SOLAR ACT / ANY PROPERTY NORTH California Solar Act & Urban Forestry~Integration Attendee Information on Solar Shade Act is important to you as a ‘front-line’ audience 1. Solar Company Industry & Sales Managers: 2. Utility Rebate Entity 3. Urban Forest Managers 4. Architects 5. Arborists who consult 6. Attorneys 7. Other secondary persons who are involved with policy setting, sustainability & energy criteria, zoning or code enforcement California Solar Act & Urban Forestry~Integration Solar Energy System Basics¹ The Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels Solar (PV) panels: Generate electric current by converting direct sunlight radiation to electricity.
    [Show full text]
  • Concentrating Solar Power in 2001
    SolarPACES Members Australia,Brazil,Egypt,EuropeanUnion,France, Germany,Israel,Mexico,Russia,SouthAfrica,Spain, Switzerland,UnitedKingdom,UnitedStates For additional information, contact: Michael Geyer Concentrating Solar Power in 2001 Executive Secretary of SolarPACES AnIEA/SolarPACESSummaryofPresentStatusandFutureProspects Plataforma Solar de Almería Apartado 39 04200 Tabernas Almería, Spain Craig E. Tyner, Operating Agent Gregory J. Kolb web site: www.solarpaces.org Michael Geyer Manuel Romero May 2001 SolarPACESTaskI:ElectricPowerSystems ...Lookingaheadstrategically,SolarPACESwillcontinuetocooperate closelyonresearchandtechnologydevelopmentinconcentratingsolar powerandsolarchemistry.However,wehavealsoinitiatedactivitiesto supportprojectdevelopment,overcomenontechnicalbarriers,andbuild worldwideawarenessoftherelevanceofConcentratingSolarPower applicationstocurrentproblemsofenergyandtheenvironment. ConcentratingSolarPower— TheLowestCostSolarEnergyintheWorld Research and development activities sponsored by ness with fossil-fuel plants in the future. Concentrating countries within the International Energy Agency’s solar technologies are appropriate for a wide range of (IEA’s) concentrating solar technologies working group, applications, including dispatchable central-station SolarPACES (Solar Power and Chemical Energy power plants where they can meet peak-load to near- Systems), have, during the past two decades, helped to base-load needs of a utility, and distributed, modular dramatically reduce the cost and improve the power plants for
    [Show full text]
  • To the House Committee on Energy & Environmental
    STATE OF HAWAII DAVID Y. IGE CATHERINE P. AWAKUNI COLόN GOVERNOR OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR DIRECTOR SHAN S. TSUTSUI DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS LT. GOVERNOR JO ANN M. UCHIDA TAKEUCHI 335 MERCHANT STREET, ROOM 310 DEPUTY DIRECTOR P.O. Box 541 HONOLULU, HAWAII 96809 Phone Number: 586-2850 Fax Number: 586-2856 www.hawaii.gov/dcca TO THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION THE TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION OF 2015 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2015 8:30 a.m. TESTIMONY OF JEFFREY T. ONO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF CONSUMER ADVOCACY, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, TO THE HONORABLE CHRIS LEE, CHAIR, AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE HOUSE BILL NO. 623 - RELATING TO RENEWABLE STANDARDS DESCRIPTION: This measure proposes to define “large self-generator;” increase Hawaii’s Renewable Portfolio Standards (“RPS”) to 70 percent by December 31, 2035 and 100 percent by December 31, 2040, unless the acquisition of renewable energy is not beneficial to Hawaii’s economy; establish renewable standards for large self-generators and subject large self-generators to applicable renewable standards; proposes to clarify and establish events or circumstances that are outside of an electric company’s or large self-generator’s reasonable control; establish large self-generator reporting requirements to the Public Utilities Commission (“PUC”) and require the PUC to report on cost-effectiveness of RPS to address the impact on renewable energy developer energy prices. POSITION: The Division of Consumer Advocacy supports the intent of this bill and offers the following comments. House Bill No. 623 House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection Tuesday, February 3, 2015, 8:30 a.m.
    [Show full text]
  • Dispatchable Solar Power Using Molten Salt Directly Irradiated from Above
    Solar Energy 220 (2021) 217–229 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Solar Energy journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/solener Dispatchable solar power using molten salt directly irradiated from above Nicolas Calvet a,*, Alexander H. Slocum b, Antoni Gil a,b, Benjamin Grange a,1, Radia Lahlou a, Tyler T. Hamer b, Miguel Diago a,2, Melanie Tetreault-Friend c,3, Daniel S. Codd d, David L. Trumper b, Peter R. Armstrong a a Department of Mechanical Engineering, Masdar Institute, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Masdar Institute Solar Platform, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates b Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States c Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States d Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, University of San Diego, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA 92110, United States ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Keywords: Concentrating solar power (CSP) with thermal energy storage (TES) presents the major advantage over solar Concentrated solar power (CSP) photovoltaics of dispatchability. High thermodynamic efficiencies achieved by collecting and storing heat at Thermal energy storage (TES) higher temperatures, and recent maturing of the technology, are making molten-salt central receiver plants the Molten salt preferred option for CSP. To explore potential further improvements in CSP efficiency and cost the world’s first Direct absorption receiver (DAR) direct absorption molten salt volumetric receiver/storage system was built at pilot scale, commissioned and Volumetric solar receiver Beam down tower monitored. In this demonstration a 100 kWth beam-down tower directs solar radiation through a final concen­ Secondary concentrator trator into the open aperture of a 1.94 m high and 1.25 m internal diameter tank receiver situated near the ground.
    [Show full text]