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CGN’s 100 MW Tower CSP at Jixi base [Ed: This 100 MW CSP Tower project at Jixi, Baicheng is one of two 100 MW Tower CSP plants to be connected to one of China’s Ultra High Voltage (UHV) DC lines, the Lugu line, for extremely long-distance transmission of renewable energy. The 1.4GW New Energy park at …
Abstract: Integrating renewable energy is critical for maintaining grid stability while striving towards global climate goals. Concentrating solar power tower plants offer a promising solution but their competitiveness is currently hindered by high operational costs, limited data availability and slow adoption of emerging technologies. To address these barriers, here we introduce PAINT, a FAIR (findable, …
The 350MW solar project at Delingha solar park in Qinghai by CGN will combine 3 Towers with Trough CSP [Ed: Till now, Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) using parabolic Trough technology has been limited in efficiency by the temperature limit of the heat transfer oil to around 400°C. Tower CSP with molten salts can achieve 565°C …
Abstract: Solid solar absorption/storage material (SSAM) is the crucial component for next generation concentrating solar power (CSP) system, which could promote global carbon neutrality. However, the comprehensive absorption/storage performance of SSAM at low cost has not been realized, thereby hindering its practical application. To address this problem, Fe/Si-rich copper slag, as abundant solid waste, was …
With China’s massive state-owned enterprises (SOE) like China General Nuclear, PowerChina and Three Gorges (famous for the 22MW dam) completing 26 full-scale concentrated solar power (CSP) projects in the last few years, and with even more than that under construction, the country is the new global leader in CSP deployment. I have many questions, like …
Continue reading “Questions about China’s recent surge in CSP? Here are some answers”
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?”