Preprint Review Version 2 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Concentrating Solar Power Tower: Latest Status Report and Survey of Development Trends

Version 1 : Received: 4 October 2017 / Approved: 4 October 2017 / Online: 4 October 2017 (18:05:03 CEST)
Version 2 : Received: 17 November 2017 / Approved: 17 November 2017 / Online: 17 November 2017 (03:56:36 CET)

How to cite: Boretti, A.; Castelletto, S.; Al-Zubaidy, S. Concentrating Solar Power Tower: Latest Status Report and Survey of Development Trends. Preprints 2017, 2017100027. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201710.0027.v2 Boretti, A.; Castelletto, S.; Al-Zubaidy, S. Concentrating Solar Power Tower: Latest Status Report and Survey of Development Trends. Preprints 2017, 2017100027. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201710.0027.v2

Abstract

The paper examines design and operating data of current concentrated solar power (CSP) solar tower (ST) plants. The study includes CSP with or without boost by combustion of natural gas (NG), and with or without thermal energy storage (TES). The latest, actual specific costs per installed capacity are very high, 6085 $/kW for Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System (ISEGS) with no TES, and 9227 $/kW for Crescent Dunes with TES. The actual production of electricity is very low and much less than the expected. The actual capacity factors are 22% for ISEGS, despite combustion of a significant amount of NG largely exceeding the planned values, and 13% for Crescent Dunes. The design values were 33% and 52%. The study then reviews the proposed technology updates to produce better ratio of solar field power to electric power, better capacity factor, better matching of production and demand, lower plant’s cost, improved reliability and increased life span of plant’s components. The key areas of progress are found in materials and manufacturing processes, design of solar field and receiver, receiver and power block fluids, power cycle parameters, optimal management of daily and seasonal operation of the plant, new TES concepts, integration of solar plant with thermal desalination, integration of solar plant with combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) installations and finally, specialization and regionalization of the project specification.

Keywords

renewable energy; concentrated solar power; solar tower; parabolic trough; natural gas boost; thermal energy storage; molten salt; steam; Rankine cycles

Subject

Engineering, Energy and Fuel Technology

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