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The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is preparing to unveil a database containing the results of exposure experiments on solar reflectors conducted over more than four decades. The publicly available Solar Mirror Materials Database (SMMD) will contain information from thousands of solar mirror samples from more than a hundred suppliers that …
Continue reading “Database Shines Spotlight on Decades of Solar Mirror Research”
The storage capacity of concentrating solar power (CSP) can add significant value to a utility company’s optimal mix of energy sources, a new report by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) suggests. The report found that CSP with a six-hour storage capacity can lower peak net loads when the sun isn’t …
Most people have seen solar photovoltaic panels mounted on rooftops or lined up across sunny fields, but fewer people are as familiar with concentrating solar power (CSP). This form of solar power uses mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto a receiver filled with fluid. The sunlight heats the fluid, producing energy, which can be used to generate …
Continue reading “How Turbulent Winds Can Increase Efficiency in Concentrated Solar Power”
Most people have seen solar photovoltaic panels mounted on rooftops or lined up across sunny fields, but fewer people are as familiar with concentrating solar power (CSP). This form of solar power uses mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto a receiver filled with fluid. The sunlight heats the fluid, producing energy, which can be used to …
Continue reading “NREL Postdocs Study Turbulent Winds To Boost Concentrated Solar Power Efficiency”
Working with member countries, SolarPACES—Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems—has compiled data on concentrating solar power (CSP) projects around the world that have plants that are either operational, under construction, or under development. CSP technologies include parabolic trough, linear Fresnel reflector, power tower, and dish/engine systems. For individual concentrating solar power projects, you will …
Continue reading “Concentrated Solar Power Projects Around the World”
Integrated Hydrogen Sensor/Separation Module Provides Long-Term Boosts in Efficiency and Revenue in Solar Power Plants. NREL and Acciona Solar Power Develop Technology To Reverse Costly Effects of Hydrogen Buildup in Concentrating Solar Power Receiver Fields. Since the mid-’80s, concentrating solar power (CSP) plants have generated clean energy to power our homes, schools, offices, and communities. …
Concentrated solar power is facing its biggest opportunity in years with an important new tool at its disposal. As Spain considers procuring 5 gigawatts of CSP, the largest amount ever tendered, the sector is looking to avoid mistakes with a highly detailed best-practices guide. The Concentrating Solar Power Best Practices Study, published in June by the U.S. …
Continue reading “Can NREL’s Fault-Finding Study Help Concentrated Solar Power?”
One conundrum for the two main Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technologies is how to be both bankable and efficient. Parabolic trough CSP is often considered more bankable, while central tower plants are more efficient. Trough technology is about a decade older than tower and has built up experienced supply chains, making it more bankable, which …
Continue reading “Promising Test Results for Molten Salts in Trough Concentrated Solar Power”
Engineers generally tend to be solutions-oriented, and engineers in Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) are no different. A history of making things better than they were is why we now have advanced technologies. As Hal Harvey, founder of Energy Innovation told the NYT opinion columnist Tom Friedman: “A prime difference between the Enlightenment and the Dark …
The US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) published June 12 the world’s first global best practice report for Concentrated Solar Power plants. The report sets out recommendations to improve the performance and reliability of Concentrating Solar Power tower and trough plants, using feedback from 80% of global CSP capacity. Many of the problems faced by …
Continue reading “U.S. unveils global Concentrated Solar Power learnings”