Operation and efficiency of large-scale solar thermal power plants

1993 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilbert E. Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Power Plants ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Thermal Power Plants ◽  
Solar Thermal Power

Ultimate Trough: The New Parabolic Trough Collector Generation for Large Scale Solar Thermal Power Plants

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus-Ju¨rgen Riffelmann ◽  
Daniela Graf ◽  
Paul Nava
Keyword(s):  
Power Plants ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Thermal Storage ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Thermal Power Plants ◽  
Large Power ◽  
Solar Thermal Power ◽  
Aperture Width ◽  
Solar Field

From 1984 to 1992, the first commercial solar thermal power plants — SEGS I to IX — were built in the Californian Mojave desert. The first generation of trough collectors (LS1) used in SEGS I showed an aperture area of about 120 m2 (1’292 ft2), having an aperture width of 2.5 m (8.2 ft). With the second generation collector (LS2), used in SEGS II to VI, the aperture width was doubled to 5 m (16.4 ft). The third generation (LS3) has been increased regarding width (5.76 m or 18.9 ft) and length (96 m or 315 ft) to about 550 m2 (5’920 ft2) aperture. It was used in the last SEGS plants VIII and IX, those plants having a capacity of 80 MW each. After more than 10 years stagnancy, several commercial plants in the US (the 64 MW Nevada Solar One project) and Spain (the ANDASOL projects, 50 MW each with 8 h thermal storage) started operation in 2007/2008. New collectors have been developed, but all are showing similar dimensions as either the LS2 or the LS3 collector. One reason for this is the limited availability of key components, mainly the parabolic shaped mirrors and heat collection elements. However, in order to reduce cost, solar power projects are getting larger and larger. Several projects in the range of 250 MW, with and without thermal storage system, are going to start construction in 2011, requiring solar field sizes of 1 to 2.5 Million m2. FLABEG, market leader of parabolic shaped mirrors and e.g. mirror supplier for all SEGS plants and most of the Spanish plants, has started the development of a new collector generation to serve the urgent market needs: lower cost and improved suitability for large solar fields. The new generation will utilize accordingly larger reflector panels and heat collection elements attended by advanced design, installation methods and control systems at the same time. The so-called ‘Ultimate Trough’ collector is showing an aperture area of 1’667 m2 (17’944 ft2), with an aperture width of 7.5 m (24.6 ft). Some design features are presented in this paper, showing how the new and huge dimensions could be realized without compromising stiffness, and bending of the support structure and improving the optical performance at the same time. Solar field layouts for large power plants are presented, and solar field cost savings in the range of 25% are disclosed.

Dry Cooling in Solar Thermal Power Plants

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaya Goswami
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Passive Cooling ◽  
Thermal Power Plants ◽  
Solar Thermal Power ◽  
Cooling Methods ◽  
Dry Cooling

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance metrics of a solar thermal power plant with dry cooling and further implement a method to increase the cycle efficiency, using passive cooling techniques within the dry cooling cycle. Current methods implementing dry cooled condensation use an air-cooled condenser for heat rejection. While this reduces the water consumption of the plant, it results in performance penalties in the overall plant between 5–10% [1]. Passive cooling methods can be used to alleviate the performance penalties. While passive cooling methods have been studied and used on a small scale, this model explores the possibilities of applying these methods to large-scale solar thermal power plants. Based on the model developed, it was found that underground-cooling techniques can improve the performance of the overall dry cooled solar thermal power plant by up to 3% at peak dry bulb temperatures. This study finds that there is a possibility to apply these passive cooling techniques on a large scale to yield positive results.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document