The Open Volumetric Receiver (OVR): A CSP Technology Optimized for Highest Flexibility, Reliability and Safety.

摘要

The CSP solution outlined in this paper promises 24-hour solar power. In a level market playing field, with wind and PV getting more and more exposed to market prices, CSP’s storage capacity and options for hybridization will make this technology an attractive, economic, and sustainable choice for many applications, markets, and locations. The tower design with an OVR enables the integration of a simple, reliable thermal storage module, ensuring that power generation can be adapted to the demands of mid- to base load power and grid stabilization. The absence of heat exchangers and the solid state storage medium result in low equipment cost, negligible operating risks, and minimum operations and maintenance cost. The plant can easily be hybridized with other conventional or renewable heat sources to raise overall efficiency and flexibility. This can be achieved by integration of gas turbine exhaust gas into the hot air cycle or the usage of hot (solar) air for the superheating of live steam from a waste-to-energy or biomass plant. Since the high steam parameters achieved are similar to those of conventional power plants, conventional components can be used, also providing high levels of efficiency. OVR CSP technology can be designed for longevity, reliability and availability. The whole process is environmentally sustainable: only air and water are used as operating media. In Italy, the legal and economic regulatory framework favours more investment in the outlined CSP solution. There, small to mid-scale solar tower power plants using OVR and thermal storage are set to be a cornerstone of the future of renewable energy