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U.S. Department of Energy
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Small community solar thermal power experiment

Conference · · Proc. Annu. Meet. - Am. Sect. Int. Sol. Energy Soc.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6825560
The first solar thermal power plant specifically designed as an alternate source of electric energy for small communities in this country is now in its second phase of development. As a result of Phase I concept definition studies, a decision was made to pursue a parabolic dish system using distributed generation. Both the design approach and the site selection status are described. The concentrator is a parabolic dish developed by the General Electric Company under the Low Cost Concentrator activity within the Module Development element of the JPL Solar Thermal Power Systems Project. It is a first generation concentrator using a reflective film bonded to a reinforced plastic substrate. The receiver is designed to heat an intermediary heat transfer fluid and is a new approach being developed by Ford. The power conversion subsystem will employ a Rankine engine. The Phase II effort will include design, development, and verification testing. This is a two-year activity that will provide a system design including the plant control system and other balance of plant considerations. The verification testing will be at the JPL Edwards AFB Parabolic Dish Test Site. Testing will be conducted at the module level; that is, a complete concentrator, receiver, and engine assembly test is planned. Phase II will follow with fabrication, installation, and operation of the power plant in the selected community to occur in 1983.
Research Organization:
Jet Propulsion Lab., Pasadena, CA
OSTI ID:
6825560
Report Number(s):
CONF-800604-P2
Conference Information:
Journal Name: Proc. Annu. Meet. - Am. Sect. Int. Sol. Energy Soc.; (United States) Journal Volume: 3.1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English