Description
The project “Futuro Solar” is intended to pave the way for the industrial maturity of Solar Thermal Power Plants, so that they are able to compete in cost of electricity with any other type of thermal power plant - including coal fired power plants - if all costs are accounted for. The project embodies; screened design of a prototype with a coherent integration of components, mainly assembled in the radiation concentrator and the radiation receiver, which must be accurately connected by an appropriate geometrical optics and construction of prototypes relevant to the objectives, with selected materials, for acquiring and checking knowledge and experimental evidence on all items embodied in the solar field. It has been concluded that Linear Fresnel reflectors have better chances for the optimization. The fix receiver, separated from the concentrator, has welded joints and enables the use of gas. Previous experimental experience with PTC showed very bad performance in turns of gas leakage through rotating joints. The project is carried out by OHL Industrial in collaboration with the Madrid Technical University (UPM).
Summary of project results
The main goal of the project carried out by OHL INDUSTRIAL was the development, experimental verification, and design optimization of a Concentration Solar Radiation Fresnel Prototype, and the subsequent thermal utilization in a multi-tube receiver using a high pressure gas as heating fluid. The project arose from the need to solve problems and inefficiencies of the essential element of thermal solar plants (solar field), currently composed of materials and very expensive equipment. To this end, Linear Fresnel-type technology has been used. The use of CO2 as a refrigerant led to a very important system optimization, by not having to install double equipment which in many cases were very special, such as the blower or auxiliary systems for each case. An industrial prototype has been built in an urbanized area in Madrid. It is the first project of thermosolar energy that has been built. From the point of view of R&D the main innovations that the prototype provides are: - Multitube Receiver for Higher Performance - CO2 as thermal fluid - Inclined East / West orientation with higher linear density of power and concentration level - Use of low cost conventional mirrors The prototype is working successfully.
Summary of bilateral results