CSP Context Key Projects IT Power Analysis
Every CSP project adds to the total deployed capacity and so strengthens the industry. However some projects have a more significant role in history more than others. For example:
SEGS
The ‘Californian Solar Energy Generating Systems’ (SEGS) are actually 9 different plants, all based on parabolic troughs, with a total combined capacity of 354MW. They were the first ever serious utility scale CSP systems and have been generating continuously for over 25 years.
Nevada Solar 1
Nevada Solar 1, a 64MW trough plant near Las Vegas, was the first CSP plant built since the SEGS plants. Although not significantly different to the eraly plants, it marked the start of a renaissance for the industry that began in 2006.
http://www.acciona-energia.com/activity_areas/csp/installations/nevadasolarone/nevada-solar-one.aspx
Andasol
The Andasol plants (I, II and II) were among many trough plants built in Spain. They all have a capacity of 50MW to be compliant with the rules of the Spanish Feed In Tariff on offer at the time. The historical significance of the Andasol plants, particularly number I, is that they were the first utility scale plants to incorporate molten salt based thermal energy storage (with sufficient for 7.5 hours full load operation).
http://www.estelasolar.eu/index.php?id=32
Gemasolar
The Gemasolar 19MW tower plant was the first commercial tower system to use molten salt energy storage. The salt is heated directly in the receiver to temperatures close to 600 Degrees C. Gemasolar boasts storage for 15 hours continuous full load operation and in 2013 achieved 36 days of continuous 24 hours per day full load generation.
http://www.torresolenergy.com/TORRESOL/gemasolar-plant/en
Solana
In Arizona, the Solana system is the Biggest ever trough plant at 250MW with 6 hours storage. The combination also means it has the highest total capacity of thermal energy storage built so far :
http://www.abengoasolar.com/web/en/nuestras_plantas/plantas_en_operacion/estados_unidos/#seccion_1
Godawari
The first completed CSP plant in India. It shows that CSP can be done in that country and despite some business problems with other projects, the potential for a significant fraction of the National Solar Mission target of 20GW by 2022 to be provided by CSP is real.
Puerto Errado 2
The PE2 system in Spain is the first successful utility scale linear Fresnel CSP power plant. It is 30MWe and produces saturated steam directly in the evacuated tube receivers. It commenced operation in 2012. The system was built using LFR technology from Novatec, the originators and the technology ownership now reside with Frenell Gmbh http://www.frenell.de/
Crescent Dunes
At 110MW with 10 Hours storage, it is currently the biggest single heliostat field plus tower system ever. It has been operational since early 2016.
http://www.solarreserve.com/en/global-projects/csp/crescent-dunes
Others
For a comprehensive listing of all CSP projects around the world, look at:
bigdishsolar 