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Concentrated solar power researchers have long known that porous ceramic “volumetric” receivers can deliver very high temperatures. What a new study from Cranfield University shows is that the internal shape of the cavity impacts heat retention. After testing different polygonal internal geometries, they found that the nine‑sided design – the nonagon – holds onto more …
Continue reading “The optimal internal receiver geometry for high temperature solar fuels”
Source: Powder2Power The Powder2Power project has reached a major milestone at the Themis solar tower in Targasonne, France, where the project MW-scale fluidised particle-based Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) prototype is approaching completion. Over the past two years, the consortium has transformed the existing Themis research infrastructure into a new demonstration platform designed specifically for …
Continue reading “Themis Powder2Power particle-based CSP begins commissioning in France”
Hami 50 MW CSP IMAGE ©CSTA Source: CSPPlaza On May 19th, the Hami Molten Salt Tower 50MW CSP Project generated 1,167.6 MWh in a single day, its all-time highest since commencing operation, according to offtaker Shenergy Power. China Solar Thermal Alliance had noted a previous one-day record of 1.0315 MWh in 2024. Hami was an …
The new SolarPACES-CSTA database of all current CSP in China map enables a visualization of the locations of all 43 of China’s concentrated solar power (CSP) projects. The link is under the WORLDWIDE CSP tab. There are currently 26 CSP projects online and 17 under construction as of 2026. At least another seven are out …
Continue reading “SolarPACES has now mapped all 43 of China’s new CSP projects”
A novel BALIO desalination method is designed to enable green steel from Western Australia’s Pilbara region iron ores At Perth’s Curtin University in Western Australia, Lina Hockaday is leading a team researching the use of waste brine to upgrade iron ore in a different way, so it can be used to make green steel. Right …
Continue reading “Could waste brine from desalination plants help make steel greener?”
Source: CSTA via Brazil Energy From CGN Brazil: In partnership with the Government of Piauí, we are advancing the structuring of an innovative initiative for the development of concentrated solar power (CSP) technology with thermal storage — still unprecedented in Brazil. The agreement, signed with the Piauí Institute of Technology, provides for technical, economic and …
Continue reading “China General Nuclear (CGN) proposes first 100 MW Tower CSP in Brazil”
This image of the Talatan solar park at Gonghe from a New York Times story on China’s big solar farms includes two tower CSP plants by PowerChina (a 50 MW Tower at Talatan since 2019, and a 100 MW tower under construction), along with the China Energy Tower CSP in the foreground. A massive HVDC …
Continue reading “China Energy’s first Tower CSP joins two by PowerChina at Talatan”
Abstract: As the penetration of renewable energy sources such as wind and photovoltaic generation continues to rise, the inherent randomness and intermittency of their output pose significant challenges to system frequency stability. To address the limited frequency regulation capability under high renewable penetration, this paper proposes a short-term optimal scheduling approach for a cascade hydropower-wind-photovoltaic-concentrated …
Abstract: In conventional solar power tower (SPT) systems, heliostats typically aim at a single point on the receiver, such as the cavity aperture center or external receiver equator. While these traditional strategies minimize spillage losses, they often cause excessive thermal stresses due to non-uniform solar flux distribution, reducing receiver efficiency and lifespan. To mitigate this, …
Abstract: Concentrating solar power plants, specifically central receiver type systems and their heliostat field, are struggling with negative reputation in the USA, due to perceived underperformance and reliability issues. This is in part due to a lack of standards for performance assessment as well as overly simplified techno-economical models. A better understanding of influences and …