CSP – The fully sustainable solution
Solar Euromed
CSP (Concentrated Solar Power) started in the 1980s, with Thémis (France), Solar One (United States) and SEGS (USA), slowed down in the 1990s, as fossil fuels were cheap and prices decreased, but the moment for CSP has at last truly arrived.
|
“The earth was created by the assistance of the sun, and it should be left as it was”
Joseph TOUYALAKET
Native American Chief
|
|
|
This is not a dream. Large-scale electricity has been already produced from the sun for decades with the SEGS plants (first plant starting in 1984) turning out 345 MW, and, more recently operating (started 2007), with Nevada Solar One (65 MW in US) and Andasol 1&2 (2 x 50MW in Spain).
 |
| From Road Map for Renewable Energy - ERE |
A simple principle
With the sun as free raw material, Concentrated Solar Power is also renewable (minimum 5,000,000 years) and abundant. A solar field of 200x200 km2 would produce enough electricity for the entire world, according to DLR (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft and Raumfahrt). There are no greenhouse gases or waste products.
The mirrors track and concentrate light on a straight receiver / absorber pipe placed alongside them. Water flows within the tube turning into steam because of the heat. This steam is then pumped either into storage or to the turbine to produce electricity. This cutting-edge solar technology “Linear Fresnel” with direct steam generation avoids using synthetic oils and consequent risks of fire hazards and industrial pollution.
The major competitive advantage of CSP over photovoltaics or wind power is its storage capability and capacity to be integrated with other thermal power technologies to allow for continuous production. The potential of CSP is wide. Among the various outputs are: electricity, fresh water and steam.
According to ESTELA’s (European Solar Thermal Electricity Association) estimations, CSP will contribute to the reaching of the European Union target of 20% renewable energy by 2020. The Mediterranean Solar Plan anticipates a target of 20GW from CSP to meet the increasing domestic market needs of Mediterranean countries plus providing electricity for the European grid. The International Energy Agency estimates 630 GW of concentrated solar power generated by 2050. Moreover, EREC (European Renewable Energy Council), predicts CSP will see the sharpest growth rate, an estimated 31%, of all renewable energies.
The prices will be reduced by three-quarter within the next two decades. This is possible because of innovations, equipment optimisation, component manufacturing improvements, the economy of scales effect and extended operational hours. With increased storage capacity, the latter meets the fluctuations of the demand curve.
 |
| CSP: From various inputs….. to various outputs |
A leading French CSP model
The leading French CSP company, Solar Euromed, is launching the Alba Nova programme in Corsica. Using only sun, water, steel and concrete, with biomass hybridisation, Alba Nova 2 will produce steam and electricity purely from renewable sources. Furthermore, after its operational life, the plant can be dismantled and the land returned to its initial state, allowing for future needs. This is a fully sustainable, environmentally-friendly solution.
Alba Nova 2 is scheduled to be one of the first solar plants integrated with biomass followed by two further plants with innovative storage systems. This extensive innovation will develop understanding and control of storage and use of biomass. Secondary benefits in selling “raw biomass” and protecting forests are an important market for the Corsican forestry industry. Further markets are continued agriculture under the mirrors and steam in thermal applications such as district heating or seawater desalinisation plants.
These secondary outcomes are evidently of great interest to local communities in developed and developing countries. Alba Nova may well become a world-class demonstration programme of a new model for integrating renewable energy resources with surrounding land while producing dispatchable electricity, water and steam. Such a model could easily be extended to countries with similar climates located in southern Europe, the Mediterranean rim, southwest USA, the Middle East, India, China, etc.
Future technologies are truly inspired by ancient wisdom.
Solar Euromed
W: www.solareuromed.com
|
