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Preliminary test results for the small community solar power system

Conference · · Am. Soc. Mech. Eng., (Pap.); (United States)
OSTI ID:5449107
;
A single power module of the Small Community Solar Power System has been undergoing solar testing at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Parabolic Dish Test Site at Edwards AFB, California beginning in February of this year. The purpose of this phase of the testing is to determine overall behavior of the system and also to characterize the dynamic response of thermal, mechanical and electronic components of the system. The module consists of a regenerative, air-cooled 20 kW /SUB e/ organic Rankine cycle (ORC) engine/generator unit and a coupled cavity receiver, all mounted at the focus of the JPL 11m diameter Test Bed Concentrator. Typical module power output is 16.2 kW /SUB e/ at 948 W/m/sup 2/ direct normal insolation, corresponding to an overall module efficiency--from sun to electricity--of 19.5%. Despite wind gusts up to 13-14 m/s (30 mph), receiver efficiency measures out on the order of 95 to 96%. Of specific interest is system dynamic response, shown in reaction to sequential opening and closing of a water-cooled plate in front of the receiver as well as naturally occurring cloud transients. These data show the control system to be completely stable.
Research Organization:
Ford Aerospace and Communications Corp., Aeronutronic Division, Newport Beach, California
OSTI ID:
5449107
Report Number(s):
CONF-821101-
Conference Information:
Journal Name: Am. Soc. Mech. Eng., (Pap.); (United States) Journal Volume: 82-WA/SOL-30
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140700* -- Solar Thermal Power Systems
CAVITY RECEIVERS
CLOUDS
COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
CONTROL
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DYNAMIC LOADS
DYNAMICS
EFFICIENCY
ENGINES
GRAPHS
HEAT ENGINES
MECHANICS
PERFORMANCE
PLATES
POWER PLANTS
POWER TRANSMISSION
RANKINE CYCLE ENGINES
REGENERATION
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
SOLAR RECEIVERS
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
TESTING
VOLTAGE REGULATORS
WIND LOADS