Concentrated solar thermal power is worldwide becoming a more and more important source for power generation. The reasons for this are obvious: The sun is an inexhaustible source for power production. And it is not only a free fuel source but also a complete emissions-free source. Steam turbine gene Contact online >>
Concentrated solar thermal power is worldwide becoming a more and more important source for power generation. The reasons for this are obvious: The sun is an inexhaustible source for power production. And it is not only a free fuel source but also a complete emissions-free source. Steam turbine generator sets convert solar energy into electricity. Instrumentation and controlls help to make optimal use of every single sun beam. We equipped more than 70 CSP plants all over the world and we are the market leader in that field.
Dubai''s new CSP plant is designed to collect heat from the sun and store it in molten salt or convert it directly into electricity via a steam generator set – an ideal solution for providing round-the-clock renewable electricity in unpredictable conditions. Noor Energy 1, the 950 MW Hybrid Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and PV plant, is the 4th phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Plant and the largest single -site CSP and single hybrid solar power project in the world.
Since the solar boom of the eighties in USA, solar thermal energy has been a proven technology. The most common type of plant is the parabolic trough collector, but alternative technologies are rapidly coming to the fore, such as Linear Fresnel collector plants with flat mirrors and central tower plants with slightly curved mirrors or heliostats.
The basic principle is the same for all three plant technologies: Mirrors concentrate the incident solar radiation onto a receiver where it is converted into heat that is used to produce steam to drive a steam turbine. Heat storage systems like molten salt tanks provide for power supply even during unfavorable weather conditions or at night. They significantly increase the number of full-load operation hours with optimal steam turbine efficiency.
With our broad steam turbine portfolio,we offer a range of turbines for different types of solar plants and all power outputs. The turbine technology fits all three common concentrated solar power concepts. We were the first steam turbine supplier to re-enter the CSP market in the 21st century, pioneering commercial solutions in the US and Spain. Today, we are the world market leader in steam turbines for CSP plants, and have more than 20 years of experience with steam turbines for daily cycling.
Parabolic systems use trough-shaped mirrors to focus sunlight onto an absorber tube (receiver) placed in the trough''s focal line. The troughs are designed to track the sun along one axis, predominantly north-south. The receivers contain a heat transfer fluid (e.g. synthetic thermal oil, molten salt) which is heated by the focused sunlight. It is circulated in these tubes and pumped through heat exchangers to produce steam.
The parabolic trough technology is currently the best proven and most used technology, even though the live steam parameters are lower than in solar power tower plants.
A circular array of flat heliostats (suntracking mirrors) concentrates sunlight on to a central receiver at the top of a tower. A heat transfer medium (water/steam, molten salt or air) in the receiver absorbs the thermal energy and transfers it into the steam cycle to generate superheated steam for the turbine.
The advantage over the parabolic trough or Fresnel collector concept is that the sunlight on the central receiver is focused to a smaller area, and the heat transfer medium does not have to be piped around the large solar field. This means that higher working fluid temperatures in the receiver (up to 1000°C) and better steam parameters are feasible, even supercritical steam is expected.
The number of concentrated solar power plants has increased tremendously in the past ten years. Today we see many different regimes of operations, each of which poses a different challenge to power generation equipment. The design of each steam turbine is adapted to these challenges.
Examples for the regimes of operation for a solarthermal power plant, with a power output of 50 MW:
As market leader in industrial steam turbines, we command a comprehensive product portfolio for solar thermal plants, covering the full range from 1.5 MW to more than 250 MW.
Optimized for challenging cycle
CSP plants require steam turbines which are optimized for their complex and challenging cycle conditions. Bearing in mind that efficiency and total cost of ownership are key to any investment decision, we incorporate operational experience into extensive R&D and engineering activities to adapt the turbines to the specific requirements of the CSP technology.
Excellent daily start-up solutions
Day and night cycle often requires a large number of starts and fast daily startup capabilities from CSP steam turbines. When focusing on annual power production, the short start-up times of the turbines are of great benefit to the CSP plant owner. Daily cycling and temperature variations require special attention.
Reheat improves efficiency
Reheat solutions improve efficiency and reduce problems with erosion/corrosion and moisture in the LP turbine. Our steam turbines meet all customer requirements for economic installation and operation and provide excellent flexibility for all cycling conditions. The turbines are suitable for higher steam parameters and can be operated in non-reheat, single reheat and double reheat cycles.
Reliable steam turbine technology
Our steam turbines are tailored to the customer requirements and shipped assembled for easy installation at site. This reduces time and manpower in the installation phase. All steam turbines are available with axial or radial exhaust and suitable for air- and water-cooled plants.
We provide optimal instrumentation and controls (I&C) design for CSP & Hybrid-PV plants for achieving the full dispatchability of solar energy power plants. With start-up and shut-down 365 days a year, high demands are placed on your plant even on the sunniest of days. Thanks to our I&C''s integration expertise in steam turbine controls, balance-of-plant, and solar fields the plant''s performance is optimized and long-term reliability is maintained.
Reduce work load for operators
Flexible and optimized plant operation with minimized operator interactions thanks to fast, reliable and reproducible fully automatic "Golden button" unit startup.
Increase energy production per day
Reduction of maintenance costs up to 10%
Maximum speed transfer of information between sub-systems and reduced engineering and maintenance complexity for the plant also with remote Diagnostics.
Reliable and smooth operation especially for big components
Operate your main components within thermal limits and eliminate tripsdue to optimized operation and coordination between solar field, storage and turbine.
Faster & reproducible start-up with higher automation degree
Automatically ensure faster and reproducible start-up with the One button Start and meet your obligation even under fluctuating weather conditions.
Meet dispatchability requirements
Use one integrated automation software for all automation tasks and integrated web server for engineering, control and diagnostics purposes and one alarming system for the entire plant.
With the Digital Enterprise solution portfolio, we offer all the controller and drive components necessary for turning good ideas into even better system solutions under one roof – for the entire range of solar production machines and solar trackers.
Our industrial steam turbines for solar solutions are ordered by customers all over the world and provide energy at CSP plants in the US, Spain, Germany, India and Northern Africa. Below you can find a view selected references.
Three dual-casing steam turbines put into service at the NOOR project site – the most ambitious solar power project in the worldSteam turbines operate in parabolic through (NOOR I, II) and solar tower plant (NOOR III)Scope of supply: 2 x SST-700/900 (NOOR I and III), 1 x SST-800/500 (NOOR II) steam turbines
Solar plant in California''s Mojave DesertThree separate plants generate electricity to power over 140,000 homesScope of supply: 3 x SST-900 steam turbines, plant control SPPA-T3000, electrical balance of plant, variable-frequency drives
Mirror field size of about 2 x 510,000 m2Thermal storage system to double number of operational hours per yearScope of supply: 2 x SST-700 steam turbines, plant control: SPPA-T3000, electrical balance of plant, cariable-frequency drives
Innovative water-steam cycle for higher efficienciesSupply included generator, turbine controls, complete field erection and commissioning and serviceScope of supply: 1 x SST-300 setam turbine
About Concentrated solar thermal power plants
As the photovoltaic (PV) industry continues to evolve, advancements in Concentrated solar thermal power plants have become critical to optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources. From innovative battery technologies to intelligent energy management systems, these solutions are transforming the way we store and distribute solar-generated electricity.
When you're looking for the latest and most efficient Concentrated solar thermal power plants for your PV project, our website offers a comprehensive selection of cutting-edge products designed to meet your specific requirements. Whether you're a renewable energy developer, utility company, or commercial enterprise looking to reduce your carbon footprint, we have the solutions to help you harness the full potential of solar energy.
By interacting with our online customer service, you'll gain a deep understanding of the various Concentrated solar thermal power plants featured in our extensive catalog, such as high-efficiency storage batteries and intelligent energy management systems, and how they work together to provide a stable and reliable power supply for your PV projects.
