Design of Solar Thermal Power Plants

Zhifeng Wang

• Publisher: Academic Press
• Year: 2019
• ISBN:
  9780128162194
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Energy

Design of Solar Thermal Power Plants introduces the basic design methods of solar thermal power plants for technicians engaged in solar thermal power generation engineering. This book includes the author's theoretical investigation and study findings in solar heat concentrators, a performance evaluation of solar thermal collectors, a numerical simulation of the heat transfer process between complex geometrics, heat transfer through radiation, and more. Containing theoretical descriptions of solar concentrators and receivers, practical engineering examples, and detailed descriptions of site selections for solar thermal power plants, this book has a strong theoretical and practical value for readers.

• Contains practical guidance and applications, making it more useful and user-friendly for CSP engineers
• Includes theoretical investigation in solar heat concentrators, performance evaluation of solar thermal collectors, and the numerical simulation of heat transfer between complex geometrics with practical applications

Chapter 1

Introduction

Abstract

Since the beginning of the 21st century, energy and environmental problems have become increasingly more conspicuous. Due to limited nonrenewable fossil energy resources and the severe influences of excessive use of these resources on the environment, excessive greenhouse gas emissions, global warming, and severe deterioration of regional climates and ecological environments appeared and have greatly endangered the living space of humans. The prominent advantages and development potential of concentrating solar power (CSP)—also known as solar thermal power or concentrated solar power—generation technology have aroused widespread concern. The main challenge it faces right now is to reduce its power generation costs so that it can compete with fossil fuels. In the next 2 decades, it is estimated that stable and economic CSP generation technology will gradually mature and become strongly competitive commercially. CSP generation technology features stable and constant power output, low costs, and outstanding technical and economic advantages; the development strategy of this technology is of great significance.

Keywords

Concentrated solar power; Solar power plants; Concentrating solar power; Solar thermal power; CSP generation

Since the beginning of the 21st century, energy and environmental problems have become increasingly more noticeable. Due to limited nonrenewable fossil energy resources and the severe influences of excessive use of these resources on the environment, excessive greenhouse gas emissions, global warming, and severe deterioration of regional climates and ecological environments appeared and have greatly endangered the living space of humans. The prominent advantages and development potential of concentrating solar power (CSP)—also known as solar thermal power (STP) or concentrated solar power—generation technology have aroused widespread concern. The main challenge it faces right now is to reduce its power generation costs so that it can compete with fossil fuels. In the next two decades, it is estimated that stable and economic CSP generation technology will gradually mature and become strongly competitive commercially. CSP generation technology features stable and constant power output, low costs, and outstanding technical and economic advantages; the development strategy of this technology is of great significance.

The basic process of CSP generation involves concentrators, receivers, thermal storage, thermal power conversion, etc. Thermodynamics, heat transfer, optics, mechanics, materials science, information science, and many other disciplines and interdisciplinary studies serve as the theoretical foundation of CSP generation technologies. Only by mastering these key technologies can we greatly improve the efficiency of the system and further reduce power generation costs so that we may further push forward its large-scale commercialization and development, and realize the effective utilization of solar energy.

For power plant design and operational targets, the following two questions are key points to be solved in terms of CSP research and engineering; they are also the main contents of this book:

• 1. Optical efficiency and cost of the concentrator. High-density concentration of solar irradiation acts as the basic process of CSP generation. Concentrator costs in solar tower and parabolic trough systems account for 45%–70% of the primary investment; the annual mean efficiency of a concentration field is normally 58%–72%, so research on the concentration process greatly influences the efficiency and cost of the system.
• Energy losses in the concentration process mainly include cosine, reflection, air transmission, and receiver interception losses caused by concentrator errors. In addition, the limits of working environmental conditions and concentrator shelf life, while still ensuring concentrator precision, mean that concentrator cost reductions now face great restrictions. Considering both of these factors, it is necessary to carry out in-depth research on the collection of optical energy and high-precision concentration using aspects of optics, mechanics, and materials science and overcome the influences of concentrator mirror shape aberration and tracking errors on energy flow transmission efficiency as well as the problem of low CSP system conversion efficiency caused by spatial and temporal distribution of the energy flux failing to satisfy the requirement of receiver; an integrated design method of solar beam concentration and thermal absorption based on the highly efficient energy flow transmission must be established.
• 2. CSP system conversion efficiency and reliability of devices. When the efficiency of an CSP system is increased by 1%, the levelized cost of electricity from CSP generation will decrease by 8%, and the corresponding total capital investment will be reduced by 5%–6%. System efficiency has significant impacts on CSP system costs. Future technical developments shall be mainly based on stable operation of the system, improvements in system efficiency, and development of major technical equipment techniques, system integration techniques, equipment performance evaluation methods and their respective testing platforms, technical standards, and ...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Preface
• Chapter 1. Introduction
• Chapter 2. The Solar Resource and Meteorological Parameters
• Chapter 3. General Design of a Solar Thermal Power Plant
• Chapter 4. Design of the Concentration System
• Chapter 5. Design of the Receiver System
• Chapter 6. Thermal Storage Systems
• Chapter 7. Site Selection, Power Load, and Power Generation Procedures
• Chapter 8. Plant Layout Planning
• Chapter 9. Main Powerhouse Layout
• Chapter 10. Water Treatment Equipment and System
• Chapter 11. Power System
• Chapter 12. Electrical Equipment and System
• Chapter 13. Thermal Automation
• Chapter 14. Architecture and Structure
• Chapter 15. Auxiliary and Affiliated Facilities
• Chapter 16. Environmental Protection of the Concentrating Solar Power Plant
• References
• Index