SolarPACES

Improving #CSP plant inspections with Drone Technology Drones are increasingly being utilized in the inspection of #Concentrated #Solar Power plants, offering a safer, more efficient alternative to traditional methods. These drones provide detailed aerial data, enabling quicker identification of maintenance needs, minimizing downtime, and reducing costs. This technology supports enhanced plant performance, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability in the renewable energy sector. https://lnkd.in/dkVRUra5

Dynamic response characteristics of molten salt #CSP tower plant under rapid load changes 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 🔷 Three typical closed-loop operation paramters disturbance on the #Solar #Thermal Plant (STP) are obtained 🔷 Combined control strategy for the STP load regulation is proposed 🔷 Influence of disturbance on water level in actual operation is analyzed 🔷 Transient response characteristics of STP during rapid load regulation process are discussed 🔷 STP can operate safely by using the control strategy C during the load regulation process https://lnkd.in/dMugG-pF #concentrated

Analysis of Gaps in techno-economic analysis to advance Heliostat technologies for Concentrating #Solar-#Thermal Power The Heliostat Consortium (HelioCon), launched in 2021, aims to advance heliostat technology. Its initial efforts included analyzing gaps in the industry and creating a roadmap highlighting high-priority areas. This paper focuses on the gap analysis related to techno-economic analysis (TEA) of heliostats, which connects the cost and performance of heliostat components to overall system performance. The scope is limited to the heliostat field, tower, and receiver, excluding downstream thermal energy uses. Researchers reviewed existing models, identified state-of-the-art open-source tools, and gathered input from industry experts to compile and rank TEA gaps by their impact. Most gaps involve developing models or data, which, while not essential, significantly support heliostat development. https://lnkd.in/eQANkUbe #CSP #concentrated Chad Augustine Alex Zolan Kenneth Armijo Sandia National Laboratories National Renewable Energy Laboratory Guangdong Zhu Margaret Gordon Craig Turchi

Webinar alert! 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀: 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 Women+ in Concentrated Solar and ATA Insights | Renewable Energy Webinars & Events join forces for this exciting webinar, taking place on Tuesday, 3rd December. 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝘄 ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dwensv9m Marina Casanova Vanessa Ferreira, PhD Adeline Duclos Chaanaoui Meriem

Laboratory demonstration of grating embedded mirrors for single-shot Heliostat optical metrology #CSP plants require precise monitoring of heliostat surface slope errors with sub-milliradian accuracy. Given the large number of heliostats and harsh environmental conditions, measurement speed and durability are critical for metrology systems. This study introduces a compact, accurate, and high-speed metrology system designed for robust performance in #Concentrated #Solar Power environments. The system includes Grating Embedded Mirrors (GEMs), featuring phase diffraction gratings written into glass mirror substrates, and the Diffractive Auto-Stigmatic Hartmann Camera (DASHCam), a compact optical device. The GEMs are created using ultrafast laser pulses to embed phase gratings without damaging the reflective coating, directing part of the incident light to the DASHCam for slope measurement. The 𝗗𝗔𝗦𝗛𝗖𝗮𝗺 evaluates slopes and canting errors from a virtual center of curvature, enabling rapid assessment during heliostat manufacturing, installation, or operation. A 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 was built, including GEMs with 24 grating patches and a DASHCam, and tested against a Fizeau interferometer in a laboratory setting. Results demonstrated high repeatability and accuracy, confirming the system’s potential for CSP applications. https://lnkd.in/dW_BG6gw Hayden Wisniewski Ian J Arnold Daewook Kim Brandon Chalifoux

📢 Cox partners with GlassPoint, Inc to build the W𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱'𝘀 𝗟𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹 project GlassPoint has unveiled the next phase of development for the 𝗚𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗮'𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲 (GMTS) in partnership with the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA). The GMTS is the first stage in building the world's largest industrial #solar #thermal project, Ma'aden I, a $1.5B project which will combine direct solar to heat technology with advanced thermal storage to accelerate the decarbonizing of Ma'aden's aluminum supply chain. https://lnkd.in/dE3Fpiua #CSP #concentrated

A Nonintrusive optical approach to characterize Heliostats in utility-scale #CSP Tower plants: camera position sensitivity analysis Optics is critical for the performance of #Concentrated #Solar Power systems. A nonintrusive optical (NIO) method developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory uses drone imaging and photogrammetry to identify optical errors in heliostats at CSP plants. This study simulates 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀 to assess how factors like the number of control points, pixel precision, and heliostat geometry impact camera accuracy in error estimation. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 highlight that pixel precision significantly influences accuracy, while control points are especially important for larger heliostats. Recommendations are provided to optimize parameters for accurate NIO optical error assessment across different heliostat sizes. https://lnkd.in/dKXXG9PP #thermal Rebecca Mitchell Guangdong Zhu

CSIRO's #CSP tech secures record funding to advance clean energy FPR Energy, a new venture from CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has secured $15 million in seed funding to commercialise next generation #solar #thermal technology that will help reduce industrial emissions, which account for 20 per cent of Australia’s annual carbon footprint. FPR Energy aims to cut emissions in heavy industries such as minerals refining, steel, cement and chemical production using CSIRO’s particle-based #Concentrated Solar Thermal (#CST) technology, capable of producing temperatures up to 1200 degrees Celsius – an industry first. https://lnkd.in/dY5PKSqe CSIRO FPR Energy RFC Ambrian

Review and Gap Analysis of #Heliostat Components and Controls This investigation provides a thorough literature review on heliostat components and controls as part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Heliostat Consortium program. It examines subcomponents, controls, and wireless communication elements in various heliostat designs used in #CSP systems. The study also includes an industry survey to identify gaps in technology and cost areas that need improvement to enhance #Concentrated #Solar Power bankability. 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲: 1️⃣ Using advanced composite materials to reduce reliance on expensive steel. 2️⃣ Adopting closed-loop controls to automate calibration, reduce commissioning time, maintenance hours, and costs. 3️⃣ Creating heliostat-specific codes and standards to support design advancements and cost reductions without compromising optical performance. https://lnkd.in/dRkC8FPC #thermal

A concise review on the Advancement in #Solar #Thermal Technology: Harnessing Sustainable Energy for a greener future This review highlights the increasing importance of solar thermal technology in the renewable energy sector. It examines 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 in absorber and reflector materials, focusing on system design and thermal storage solutions that enhance 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆, 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁-𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀. The integration of solar thermal systems with auxiliary technologies is also explored, expanding their applications beyond electricity generation to include heating, cooling, and water treatment. While addressing 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 such as policy support, investment in research and development, and technical barriers, the review emphasizes the critical role of solar thermal technology in promoting energy security, economic development, and emissions reduction. It concludes by stressing the need for ongoing innovation and collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the successful adoption of this technology. By embracing these advancements, solar thermal technology can significantly contribute to decarbonization efforts, strengthen resilience against climate change, and pave the way for a sustainable and prosperous future. https://lnkd.in/dFBZXUAw #CSP #concentrated