Assessment of solar options for small power systems applications. Volume II. Identification and characterization of concepts for analysis

Technical Report · Sun Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5250286· OSTI ID:5250286

Laity, W W; Aase, D T; Apley, W J; Bird, S P; Drost, M K; Williams, T A

The primary purpose of this study is to provide DOE with an independent, objective assessment of the principal solar thermal conversion concepts that have the potential for achieving commercial success as small electric power sytems in the 1- to 10-MWe range. Seven generic types of collectors, together with associated subsystems for electric power generation, were considered in this study. The collectors can be classified into three categories: (1) two-axis tracking (with compound curvature reflecting surfaces); (2) one-axis tracking (with single-curvature reflecting surfaces); and (3) nontracking (with low-concentration reflecting surfaces). These collectors can be combined with energy transport, energy storage, and power conversion subsystems in a wide variety of ways to formulate conceptual systems for electric power generation. In this study, attention was restricted to configurations that are potentially suitable for development as small power systems (1 to 10 MWe) in the long term (1990 to 2000), with initial commercialization by the mid-1980s. Cogeneration and total energy systems were beyond the scope of this study. All seven types of collectors were analyzed in conceptual system configurations with Rankine-cycle engines. Because they can operate at particularly high concentration ratios, two of the collectors (the Point Focus Central Receiver and the Point Focus Distributed Receiver) were also analyzed with Brayton-cycle engines. In addition, the latter of the two was analyzed with Stirling-cycle engines. With these engine options, 10 conceptual systems were formulated for analysis. Results are presented in detail. (WHK)

• Research Organization: Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, WA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 5250286
• Report Number(s): PNL-4000(Vol.2)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
SOLAR THERMAL POWER PLANTS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
BRAYTON CYCLE
BRAYTON CYCLE POWER SYSTEMS
COMPOUND PARABOLIC CONCENTRATORS
CONCENTRATING COLLECTORS
COST
DESIGN
DISTRIBUTED COLLECTOR POWER PLANTS
FIXED MIRROR COLLECTORS
HELIOSTATS
MAINTENANCE
OPERATION
PARABOLIC DISH COLLECTORS
PARABOLIC TROUGH COLLECTORS
PERFORMANCE
POWER RANGE 1-10 MW
RANKINE CYCLE
RANKINE CYCLE POWER SYSTEMS
SLAT TYPE COLLECTORS
SOLAR RECEIVERS
STEAM TURBINES
STIRLING CYCLE
STIRLING ENGINES
THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE EQUIPMENT
TOWER FOCUS POWER PLANTS
ENGINES
EQUIPMENT
HEAT ENGINES
MACHINERY
PARABOLIC COLLECTORS
POWER PLANTS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY
140700* - Solar Thermal Power Systems