Concentrating Solar Power

Concentrating solar power (CSP) plants produce electricity same as the conventional power stations, i.e. using high-temperature steam or gas to drive a turbine. However, in the CSP plants, the hot fluid is produced by concentrating the solar radiation instead of burning a fossil fuel. An important feature of the CSP plants is the possible integration of a built-in thermal storage system that enables electricity production in the absence of sun. CSP technology offers firm, flexible electrical production capacity to utilities and grid operators but requires values of Direct Normal Irradiance higher than 2000 kWh/m²/y. There are four main types of commercial technologies: parabolic troughs and linear Fresnel systems, which are line concentrating, and central receivers or tower and parabolic dishes which are point concentrating. These technologies differ with respect to optical design, shape of receiver, nature of the transfer fluid and capability to store heat before it is turned into electricity.