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

doi:10.1063/1.4949115

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

Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
University of San Diego

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

10 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 language	British English
Title of host publication	SolarPACES 2015
Subtitle of host publication	International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems
Editors	Vikesh Rajpaul, Christoph Richter
ISBN (Electronic)	9780735413863
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4949115
State	Published - 31 May 2016
Event	21st International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, SolarPACES 2015 - Cape Town, South Africa Duration: 13 Oct 2015 → 16 Oct 2015

Publication series

Name	AIP Conference Proceedings
Volume	1734
ISSN (Print)	0094-243X
ISSN (Electronic)	1551-7616

Conference

Conference	21st International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, SolarPACES 2015
Country/Territory	South Africa
City	Cape Town
Period	13/10/15 → 16/10/15

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

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10.1063/1.4949115

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Gil, A., Codd, D. S., Zhou, L., Trumper, D., Calvet, N., & Slocum, A. H. (2016). Concentrated solar power on demand demonstration: Construction and operation of a 25 kW prototype. In V. Rajpaul, & C. Richter (Eds.), SolarPACES 2015: International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems Article 050017 (AIP Conference Proceedings; Vol. 1734). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4949115

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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.",

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Gil, A, Codd, DS, Zhou, L, Trumper, D, Calvet, N & Slocum, AH 2016, Concentrated solar power on demand demonstration: Construction and operation of a 25 kW prototype. in V Rajpaul & C Richter (eds), SolarPACES 2015: International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems., 050017, AIP Conference Proceedings, vol. 1734, 21st International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, SolarPACES 2015, Cape Town, South Africa, 13/10/15. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4949115

Concentrated solar power on demand demonstration: Construction and operation of a 25 kW prototype. / Gil, Antoni; Codd, Daniel S.; Zhou, Lei et al.
SolarPACES 2015: International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems. ed. / Vikesh Rajpaul; Christoph Richter. 2016. 050017 (AIP Conference Proceedings; Vol. 1734).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

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AB - 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.

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

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