Stretched-membrane heliostats improve outlook for solar electric power plants
Commercial power plants that generate electricity from solar energy may be a step closer to reality if new stretched-membrane heliostat mirrors work well in test as Sandia National laboratories, Albuquerque, NM. Heliostats - large mirrors mounted on rotating, sun-tracking frames - collectively represent between one-third and two-thirds of the capital outlay for a solar central-receiver power plant, so there is great interest in reducing their cost. Computers and electric motors automatically keep heliostat mirrors pointed toward the sun during daylight hours. The mirrors reflect the sun's rays to a central tower several hundred feet above the ground, generating intense heat near 1050 /sup 0/F. The heat is absorbed by a transfer fluid (water, molten salt, or sodium) that can be used to drive a generating turbine. Sandia solar researches estimate that heliostats made from lightweight stretched-membrane mirrors would cost up to 25 percent less than conventional heliostats made from heavy glass mirrors.
- OSTI ID:
- 6982346
- Journal Information:
- Alternative Sources Energy; (United States), Journal Name: Alternative Sources Energy; (United States) Vol. 95; ISSN ASEND
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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