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

1168

Power Tower

49

50

~ 800

~ 473

~ 1220

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 Jlich

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: 565C
future: 640C?

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: reiner.buck@dlr.de

13 / IRENA 6.10.2011