Concentrated solar power on demand demonstration: Construction and operation of a 25 kW prototype

Antoni Gil, Daniel S. Codd, Lei Zhou, David Trumper, Nicolas Calvet, Alexander H. Slocum

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Currently, the majority of concentrated solar power (CSP) plants built worldwide integrate thermal energy storage (TES) systems which enable dispatchable output and higher global plant efficiencies. TES systems are typically based on two tank molten salt technology which involves inherent drawbacks such as parasitic pumping losses and electric tracing of pipes, risk of solidification and high capital costs. The concept presented in this paper is based on a single tank where the concentrated sunlight is directly focused on the molten salt. Hot and cold volumes of salt (at 565 °C and 280 °C, respectively) are axially separated by an insulated divider plate which helps maintain the thermal gradient. The concept, based on existing technologies, seeks to avoid the listed drawbacks as well as reducing the final cost of the TES system. In order to demonstrate its feasibility, Masdar Institute (MI) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology are developing a 25 kW prototype to be tested in the Masdar Solar Platform beam down facility.

Original languageBritish English
Title of host publicationSolarPACES 2015
Subtitle of host publicationInternational Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems
EditorsVikesh Rajpaul, Christoph Richter
ISBN (Electronic)9780735413863
DOIs
StatePublished - 31 May 2016
Event21st International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, SolarPACES 2015 - Cape Town, South Africa
Duration: 13 Oct 201516 Oct 2015

Publication series

NameAIP Conference Proceedings
Volume1734
ISSN (Print)0094-243X
ISSN (Electronic)1551-7616

Conference

Conference21st International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, SolarPACES 2015
Country/TerritorySouth Africa
CityCape Town
Period13/10/1516/10/15

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Concentrated solar power on demand demonstration: Construction and operation of a 25 kW prototype'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this