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Unlock your guides1.4 Basic components and configurations of CSP systems
3 min read•august 9, 2024
Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) systems harness sunlight to generate electricity. This section breaks down the key components that make CSP work, from solar collectors to power generation units. It's all about capturing, storing, and converting solar energy efficiently.
Understanding these parts is crucial for grasping how CSP fits into the bigger picture of renewable energy. We'll look at different collector types, energy storage methods, and the supporting systems that keep everything running smoothly. It's like a solar-powered puzzle where each piece plays a vital role.
Solar Collectors
Parabolic Trough and Linear Fresnel Reflectors
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- Solar collectors concentrate sunlight onto a to generate high-temperature heat
- collectors use curved mirrors to focus sunlight onto a linear receiver tube
- Mirrors shaped like a parabola to maximize concentration
- Receiver tube filled with (molten salt or synthetic oil)
- Typically achieve concentration ratios of 70-100 suns
- Linear Fresnel reflectors utilize long, flat or slightly curved mirrors to approximate a parabolic shape
- Mirrors focus sunlight onto a fixed receiver suspended above the mirror field
- Simpler design and lower cost than parabolic troughs
- Achieve concentration ratios of 30-60 suns
- Compact mirror spacing allows for higher ground coverage
Solar Tower and Dish Stirling Systems
- systems use a field of flat mirrors (heliostats) to focus sunlight onto a central receiver
- Heliostats track the sun on two axes for maximum concentration
- Central receiver mounted on a tall tower to minimize shadowing and blocking
- Achieve concentration ratios of 600-1000 suns
- Capable of reaching higher temperatures than linear systems (up to 1000°C)
- systems consist of a parabolic dish concentrator and a Stirling engine at the focal point
- Dish tracks the sun on two axes to maintain focus
- Stirling engine converts heat directly to electricity at the focal point
- Achieve the highest concentration ratios of 1000-3000 suns
- Modular design allows for scalable power generation
Thermal Energy Storage and Power Generation
Receiver and Thermal Energy Storage Systems
- Receiver absorbs concentrated sunlight and converts it to high-temperature heat
- External receivers used in tower systems exposed to ambient conditions
- Cavity receivers in dish systems reduce heat losses
- Tubular receivers in trough and Fresnel systems contain heat transfer fluid
- system allows for power generation during cloudy periods or at night
- Direct storage systems use the same fluid for heat transfer and storage (molten salt)
- Indirect systems use separate fluids for heat transfer and storage (oil and molten salt)
- Two-tank systems separate hot and cold storage media
- Thermocline systems use a single tank with temperature stratification
- Storage capacity typically ranges from 4-15 hours of full-load operation
Power Generation Unit and Heat Transfer Systems
- converts thermal energy to electricity
- Conventional steam Rankine cycle most common for large-scale CSP plants
- Organic Rankine cycle used for lower temperature applications
- Supercritical CO2 cycles under development for higher
- move thermal energy between components
- Primary heat transfer loop connects solar field to storage or power block
- Secondary loop transfers heat from storage to power block (if applicable)
- Working fluid (water/steam) loop in the power block
Supporting Components
Tracking Systems and Control Mechanisms
- Tracking systems orient collectors to follow the sun's movement
- for parabolic troughs and linear Fresnel (east-west or north-south)
- for solar towers and dish systems (azimuth and elevation)
- Hydraulic or electric drive mechanisms move the collectors
- Control systems use sun position algorithms and sensors for accurate tracking
- manage overall plant operation
- (DCS) coordinates all plant subsystems
- (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems monitor and control plant processes
- for predictive operation and maintenance
Balance of Plant and Auxiliary Systems
- includes all supporting infrastructure and systems
- Electrical systems (transformers, switchgear, )
- Cooling systems (wet cooling towers or air-cooled condensers)
- Water treatment and management systems
- Fire protection and safety systems
- support plant operation and maintenance
- Compressed air systems for pneumatic controls and cleaning
- Backup power generators for critical systems
- Maintenance facilities and equipment (mirror cleaning vehicles)
- Meteorological stations for local weather monitoring and forecasting
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