Solar Tower Systems –
An Example of Innovative Power
Technology
Dr. Reiner Buck
Institute of Solar Research, DLR
Solar Research at DLR
storage (ITT)
system analysis (ITT)
resource analysis
(ITT,IPA)
materials (IWF)
Institute of Solar Research
Prof. Dr. Pitz-Paal
Prof. Dr. Hoffschmidt
Line
Focussing
Systems
Point
Focussing
Systems
K. Hennecke
Dr. R. Buck
Qualification
Solar
Process
Technology
Test Facilities
and Solar
Materials
Dr. P. Heller
Dr. C. Sattler
Dr. K.-H. Funken
H2
H2O
O2
July 2011: 84 staff members at 3 sites (KP, ST, AS)
2 / IRENA 6.10.2011
Unique Characteristics of CSP Plants
solar
radiation
heat
electricity
solar field
storage
fuel
power
block
grid
solar electricity generation: no or low CO2 emissions
integration of storage: dispatchable power, high capacity factor
hybridization with fossil fuel: fully dispatchable power
CSP offers high additional value for power supply system
3 / IRENA 6.10.2011
Status of CSP Technologies
Actual CSP Capacities:
operating: ~ 1.25 GW
under construction: ~ 2.7 GW
in planning: ~ 7.2 GW
Systems in Operation (in MW):
Spain
USA
total
Parabolic Trough
750
468
1‘168
Power Tower
49
5
50
~ 800
~ 473
~ 1‘220
total
4 / IRENA 6.10.2011
ANDASOL-1 Plant, Spain
plant capacity: 50 MW
HTF: thermal oil
7.5 h storage (molten salt)
storage system
5 / IRENA 6.10.2011
DLR owned Solar Tower Test Facility Jülich
6 / IRENA 6.10.2011
GEMASOLAR Plant, Spain
plant capacity: 19 MW
HTF: molten salt
15 h storage (molten salt)
official inauguration:
October 4, 2011
7 / IRENA 6.10.2011
Solar Tower with Molten Salt
receiver temperature: 565°C
future: 640°C?
by SolarReserve
8 / IRENA 6.10.2011
CSP Perspective
Parabolic Trough will remain most important technology
near term
Solar Tower will have increasing market share in midterm
higher cost reduction potential
Why?
higher concentration allows higher operating temperatures
higher cycle and overall efficiency
higher storage temperature difference
less storage mass
multi-tower systems with central power block
9 / IRENA 6.10.2011
Cost Reduction of CSP plants
Reduction of Investment and Financing Cost
Reduce component costs: mass production, new technologies, increased
competition
Up-scaling of plant capacity
Lower risk addition for credits: proven technology
Increased Revenues
Increase annual energy output: improved operation strategy and less O&M
Increase revenues: predictable power supply, load shifting to peak hours,
reduced O&M cost
10 / IRENA 6.10.2011
Technology Trends: Solar Tower
Molten Salt Tower Systems
Large commercial projects
under development and
construction (up to 150MW)
System optimization by
increasing operating
temperature
“solar salt” or new mixtures
advanced steam cycles
Foto: Sandia
multi-tower systems
single / multiple power plants
11 / IRENA 6.10.2011
Conclusions
unique selling proposition of CSP: storage and/or hybridization
additional value compared to PV and wind
cost reduction will be defining CSP market share
solar tower will become more important, due to higher cost
reduction potential
solar tower with molten salt: most promising in short term
mid to long term solar tower developments:
molten salt with increased temperature
solar gas turbine systems (air, particles)
…
12 / IRENA 6.10.2011
Thank you for your attention!
contact: [email protected]
13 / IRENA 6.10.2011