Seminar on “Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) for grid-scale electricity generation” by Dr. Prasad Pokkunuri, ABB, Bangalore

Sun, 2013-08-18 22:30
Brochure Registration Form

On 19th August 2013 at 16:30 Hrs in ME 211 (First Floor Mechanical Engineering).

Solar energy is the most abundant and easily available source of renewable energy. Although it constitutes a very small portion of the total electricity production today, solar energy resource is enormous: the earth receives more energy from the sun in one hour than the global population uses in an entire year. Worldwide, there is increasing interest to tap into this inexhaustible source of energy. Grid scale electricity from the sun can be produced using either (Concentrated) PhotoVoltaics (PV/CPV) or Concentrated Solar Thermal (CST/CSP). Each of these broad class of technologies has its own advantages and disadvantages. CSP scores over PV in its ability to provide comparatively economical storage (as on date) and also in being able to provide heat/steam for industrial processes - something that isn’t possible with PV. In this presentation, I will begin with an overview of the predominant technologies in CSP, viz. Parabolic Trough, Linear Fresnel, Parabolic Dish and Power Tower. Pioneering CSP installations around the world will be mentioned, and distinction made between them on the basis of Concentration Factor, Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF), Working Fluid (WF), Thermal Energy Storage (TES) etc. It will be shown that no one technology fits all purposes. Power Tower technologies will then be presented in detail, with a description of the different types of Central Receivers, Heliostats, and Thermal Storage subsystems. Receiver and thermal storage modelling and design will be thoroughly described. Economics of Solar Thermal Power Plants with TES will be briefly mentioned, in the context of Solar Multiple (SM) and hours of storage. A brief overview of storage technologies will be given, to motivate the need for breakthrough solutions.