Next-CSP: High Temperature concentrated solar thermal power plant with particle receiver and direct thermal storage

schlaich bergermann partner sbp sonne gmbh is participating in the development of the next generation of technologies in concentrated solar power (CSP) together with other nine European firms. The project kick-off meeting took place in October 2016 and the development phase is expected to run for the next four years.

Led by French Research Institute, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), the project will rely on a multidisciplinary team to achieve the desired efficiency and economic output of solar power plants with central receivers.

The main objective of the so-called Next-CSP* project is to improve the reliability and performance of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants through the development and integration of a new technology based on the use of high temperature (800 °C) particles as heat transfer fluid and storage medium. To achieve this objective, the project will demonstrate the technology in a relevant environment and at a significant size (4 MWth).

Fluidized particles can actually be used as heat transfer fluid (HTF) and direct thermal energy storage (TES) medium. Heating particles at temperature higher than 700 °C in a high temperature receiver allows using new thermodynamic cycles. The validity of this concept was proved at laboratory scale level during the CSP2 EU project (Concentrated Solar Power in Particles). A 150 kWth multi-tube solar receiver was successfully tested.

sbp sonne is to optimize the optical accuracy of the Stellio heliostat technology through techno-economic studies considering new boundary conditions, a reduced size receiver, and a higher concentration factor in high temperature, which will also require the optimization of the heliostat field layout to develop aim point strategies for all heliostats in the field to reach a desired heat flux on the receiver.

The Next-CSP project intends to develop a first-of-its-kind technology to improve the performance of CSP plants, hence reinforcing their competitiveness for a better integration into the renewable energy mix to fight climate change.

*This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 727762, Next-CSP project.