A solar thermal power plant can replace an old conventional power plant and provide more electricity without incurring additional costs. For instance, a country like Saudi Arabia uses one-third of its oil production for its own energy needs, and most of this is used for electricity generation. The cost of operating a solar thermal power plant is relatively cheap, as it costs only thirteen cents per kilowatt-hour.
The technology is currently being developed and tested at demonstration facilities. The Sierra demonstration facility, which is located in California, uses two full-scale receiver/tower/heliostat field modules and a five megawatt turbine generator. The company recently announced several commercial development partnerships, including with electricity producer NRG Energy to develop 500 MW in the southwest USA.
A solar thermal power plant uses parabolic troughs, which reflect sunlight at 30 to 100 times its normal intensity. These mirrors then heat a fluid that is collected at a central location and turned into high-pressure superheated steam. The troughs are also able to track the sun throughout the day. A solar thermal power plant like this has been operating since 1984. Its success story is documented in the pages of the European Solar Thermal Electricity Association.
A solar thermal power plant can provide reliable electricity and may even provide thermal energy. It is a sustainable, renewable source of electricity. Many solar power plants are also equipped with thermal storage tanks that allow them to provide electricity during the night. However, this type of energy source is not suitable for all locations. In areas with high solar radiation, a solar thermal power plant can be an excellent alternative to fossil fuels.
Currently, the largest solar thermal power plant is located in the American Mojave Desert. The technology is proven and tested in several demonstration projects. The Solar Two power tower at a demonstration site shows how the technology works. The developer, Solar Millennium, is confident that the technology is a viable solution. It plans to start operations in early summer. It's still a long way away from commercial use, but the company is still confident.
Heat transport is the process of transporting heat from the solar collector to the heat storage vault. The tubing and vault must be heat-insulated to prevent loss of heat. When heat escapes, it decreases efficiency. A solar thermal power plant should therefore be well insulated to avoid any heat loss. The heat transfer process should be characterized and optimized to ensure optimal performance.
A solar thermal power plant uses the energy from the Sun to produce electricity. It uses mirrors to focus sunlight on a central point. This heat then turns a steam turbine that spins a generator. The steam is then transformed into electricity and fed into a power supply. Solar thermal power plants are a great way to produce energy.
The solar thermal power plant technology is gaining momentum in the renewable energy industry. It is expected to make a significant contribution to the overall electricity supply through its combined use of heat storage and concentrated solar radiation. With almost 30 years of successful operation, concentrating solar thermal power is a proven technology. Currently, 1.3 GW of solar thermal power plants are in operation around the world, and over 30 GW more are in the advanced planning stage.