An Evaluation of Possible Next-Generation High Temperature Molten-Salt Power Towers
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Since completion of the Solar Two molten-salt power tower demonstration in 1999, the solar industry has been developing initial commercial-scale projects that are 3 to 14 times larger. Like Solar Two, these initial plants will power subcritical steam-Rankine cycles using molten salt with a temperature of 565 °C. The main question explored in this study is whether there is significant economic benefit to develop future molten-salt plants that operate at a higher receiver outlet temperature. Higher temperatures would allow the use of supercritical steam cycles that achieve an improved efficiency relative to today's subcritical cycle (~50% versus ~42%). The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of a 565 °C subcritical baseline plant was compared with possible future-generation plants that operate at 600 or 650 °C. The analysis suggests that ~8% reduction in LCOE can be expected by raising salt temperature to 650 °C. However, most of that benefit can be achieved by raising the temperature to only 600 °C. Several other important insights regarding possible next-generation power towers were also drawn: (1) the evaluation of receiver-tube materials that are capable of higher fluxes and temperatures, (2) suggested plant reliability improvements based on a detailed evaluation of the Solar Two experience, and (3) a thorough evaluation of analysis uncertainties.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- OSTI ID:
- 1035342
- Report Number(s):
- SAND--2011-9320
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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