SOLAR THERMAL POWER !

GEEN 4830 ECEN 5007 !

1. Introduction !

Manuel A. Silva Prez ! silva@esi.us.es !

Contents

Course objectives and contents Solar Energy Solar Thermal Concentrating Systems Solar Thermal Power

GEEN 4830 ECEN 5007

6/7/10

Course objectives

1) Understand the fundamentals of the thermal conversion of solar energy into power. 2) Understand the potential and limitations of STP as a major source of renewable electricity. 3) Understand the basics of the different technologies known as Concentrating Solar Power (CSP), including technical and economical aspects. 4) Have a basic knowledge of the different aspects that a STP project involves.

GEEN 4830 ECEN 5007

6/7/10

Course plan

Introduction Solar resource Brief review of basic Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer topics Fundamentals of High Temperature Solar Thermal Systems Technologies. Description, economics, intro to design and analysis issues

Parabolic Troughs Central Receivers Linear Fresnel Concentrators Parabolic dishes Dispatchability. Thermal Storage. Hybridization

Integration of STP plants

Introduction to feasibility analysis of STP projects STP today and tomorrow

GEEN 4830 ECEN 5007
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Solar Energy

Solar Energy (Britannica Online)

radiation from the Sun capable of producing heat, causing chemical reactions, or generating electricity. () the total amount of solar energy incident on Earth is vastly in excess of the worlds current and anticipated energy requirements. If suitably harnessed, this highly diffused source has the potential to satisfy all future energy needs. In the 21st century solar energy is expected to become increasingly attractive as an energy source because of its inexhaustible supply and its nonpolluting character, in stark contrast to the finite fossil fuels coal, petroleum, and natural gas.

GEEN 4830 ECEN 5007

6/7/10

Solar Energy

Solar Energy (Wikipedia)

Solar energy is the radiant light and heat from the Sun that has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar radiation along with secondary solar resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass account for most of the available renewable energy on Earth. Only a minuscule fraction of the available solar energy is used. (wikipedia)

GEEN 4830 ECEN 5007

6/7/10

Solar Energy

Solar Power. Electricity generated (directly) from solar energy.

Photovoltaic Conversion: PV Systems Thermal Conversion: Solar Thermal Power (Concentrating Solar Thermal Power)

GEEN 4830 ECEN 5007

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Solar Thermal Concentrating Systems

Systems that make use of solar energy by first concentrating solar radiation and then converting it to thermal energy Uses:

Electricity (Solar Thermal Power) Industrial Process Heat Absorption cooling Chemical processes

GEEN 4830 ECEN 5007

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The Energy System

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The energy system challenges

Global warming, climate change Resource depletion Need for a deep change of the energy system

Based mainly on renewable, rather than exhaustible sources Decentralized, generation close to consumption Efficient (cogeneration) Fair

Transition will not be easy STP can play a major role in this context

Clean Abundant Distributed Dispatchable

GEEN 4830 ECEN 5007
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Solar resource availability

Excelent
10

Very good

Good

Inappropriate
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GEEN 4830 ECEN 5007

Solar resource availability. The Desertec project

90 % of the total electricity demand could be supplied from STP plants covering 300x300 km2. Effcient transmission via HVDC would allow electricity supply to remote areas with moderate losses. DESERTEC project: STP plants in the Magreb Area to supply electricity for Europe and Africa

3000 km

EU25

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GEEN 4830 ECEN 5007

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