Description
The solar field, which consists of several thousand heliostats, is the most important cost aspect of a solar power plant. Since it may constitute close to 50% of the capital cost of a solar power plant it is important to reduce the cost of heliostats, while maintaining the required technical performances as much as possible to improve the economic viability of power towers. The main objective of the project is to develop and validate a cost competitive heliostat for big solar power plants, applying technology improvements on the heliostat components (foundation, pedestal, actuation mechanism and support frame). The new heliostat prototype will be assembled and installed on the thermosolar power tower plant GEMASOLAR, owned by TORERSOL (60% SENER, 40% MASDAR), taking advantage of the available facilities, utilities (water, air, etc.) and infrastructure. The heliostat Set-Up will be finished at the beginning of 2015 and by then ready for validation tests.
Summary of project results
The main objective of this project was to develop and validate a cost competitive heliostat for big solar power tower plants, applying technology improvements on the foundation, pedestal, actuation mechanism and support frame. The main achievement of the project have been the design, development and manufacturing of an innovative and low-cost heliostat prototype, composed of the following parts: • Hydraulic actuation mechanism • Precast concrete pedestal • Optimized low-cost heliostat structure • Advanced technological manufacturing process The HELIOCOST Project has been critical in the process of being selected the preferred bidder in NOOR III project.
Summary of bilateral results