A recent study suggests that Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) can be the key to China meeting its climate commitments. CSP can store energy relatively inexpensively and dispatch it day or night, making it a more cost-effective option than traditional renewable energy sources like wind power and PV. The study found that substituting CSP f...
Longer solar contracts can leverage free fuel in solar power, reducing operating expenses (O&M costs) by up to 2 cents per kWh. This can lead to lower price bids for utility-scale renewable energy projects, making them more competitive.
Researchers have developed a prototype for calibrating an entire solar field in a single night, shaving months off the current process. The innovation integrates digital cameras into heliostats to achieve pixel point accuracy, enabling precise calibration and reducing costs per square meter.
A new dynamic model proposes a seasonal control strategy with ceria particles to buffer the effect of solar radiation variation, enabling continuous hydrogen production. The system can store and release heat as needed, maximizing solar energy utilization and potentially increasing efficiency.
Scientists have developed CONTISOL, a solar reactor that can run day and night using concentrated solar power. The reactor uses air as the heat transfer medium and achieves stable temperatures round the clock.
A study suggests a 100 MW CSP+desalination plant could be financially viable for Namibia, generating both electricity and water with relatively little added cost. The system would provide dispatchable solar energy to supply 15% of Namibia's peak demand, reducing the country's carbon footprint and meeting its 2030 renewable energy target.
Particle receiver CSP technology can nearly double molten salt temperatures, increasing efficiency and reducing costs. Researchers have tested a red sand approach that achieves high temperatures while minimizing energy loss.
Researchers have successfully used solar sintering to process manganese ore fines, eliminating fossil fuel combustion and reducing CO2 emissions by up to 100%. This innovative method could lead to a commercial solar sintering industry, replacing carbon-intensive steel production methods in South Africa.
Researchers have demonstrated the full process of making kerosene, the jet fuel used by commercial airlines, using a high-temperature thermal solar reactor to create syngas. The feedstock is essentially unlimited, providing a potentially game-changing alternative to fossil fuels.
Thorsten Denk's device can make enough oxygen and water for 6 to 8 astronauts using a thermal solar reactor, powered by concentrated solar radiation. The process involves chemical splitting of water from lunar soil, followed by electrolysis to produce hydrogen and oxygen.
Researchers have designed a solar peaker plant that can store energy thermally to deliver power after dark, making it a viable alternative to fossil fuels for peaking. The plants, which use molten salt tower technology, can operate for up to 6 hours and have a capacity factor of 15-25%.
Sandia scientists develop a system to convert surplus solar flux into additional electricity at tower CSP plants, increasing capacity by up to 10 MW and reducing costs. The concept involves cladding the tower with photovoltaic panels, generating over 10% of total capacity.