Manufacturing Cost Analysis of Advanced Parabolic Trough Collector: Preprint

Conference · Wed Aug 11 04:00:00 EDT 2021

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0085663· OSTI ID:1813765

Kurup, Parthiv; Glynn, Stephen; Akar, Sertac

The research team performed a detailed bottom-up manufacturing cost estimate for an advanced parabolic trough design - the Solar Dynamics Sunbeam-MT (Sunbeam Mid-Term). This includes all components for manufacturing and assembly in a manufacturing facility (e.g. space frame and arms), and the purchased parts (e.g. mirrors and receiver tubes). Estimates of the construction and assembly activities have been made to then determine an estimated installed cost. Prior analysis has already undertaken detailed bottom-up manufacturing, assembly, and construction analysis for the Ultimate Trough from schlaich bergermann partner (sbp), and this work updates the solar field cost estimates based on a similar aperture area as the Sun Beam-MT. For this analysis, the Ultimate Trough is considered the commercial parabolic trough and the Sunbeam-MT as the advanced parabolic trough. For similarity, both the Sunbeam-MT and the Ultimate Trough have been modelled with a solar field with approximately 800,000 square meters (m2) in aperture area - the equivalent of a large CSP plant. The analysis has found a potential installed cost estimate of the Sunbeam-MT could be $120/m2 but must be built at scale to confirm this estimate. Compared to prior analysis, the commercial Ultimate Trough using U.S. conditions, has reduced in installed cost from $178/m2 to $152/m2. Both designs could be even cheaper with Chinese steel.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Solar Energy Technologies Office (EE-4S)
• DOE Contract Number: AC36-08GO28308
• OSTI ID: 1813765
• Report Number(s): NREL/CP-6A20-77829; MainId:30744; UUID:926a0b65-87fd-43a8-b1f9-7b26aa75e40d; MainAdminID:59533
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

CSP
DFMA
ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY,SOLAR ENERGY
cost analysis
manufacturing
parabolic trough collector