Advanced Concentrating Thermal Technologies for Power and Process Heat Generation

Kurzfassung

Concentrating solar thermal technologies are in a phase of commercial implementation for about 10 years. Up to now parabolic trough systems using synthetic thermal oil as heat transfer medium and a molten salt heat storage system is the dominating technology in the market. In parallel smaller units to provide process heat in a decentralized markets are evolving. Solar tower technology using molten salt as heat transfer medium is currently emerging with the promise to reduce the cost for dispatchable power significantly. A variety of other new heat transfer fluids with different particular benefits have been developed in the past to enable further cost reductions. This range from new silicon based thermal, oil, direct steam generation, atmospheric air, advanced salt mixtures, liquid metals and ceramic particles. The talk will introduce the different concepts and evaluate the maturity and potential for both centralized power production and decentralized process heat supply.