Solar Power Plants

In a rigorous fashion, the physics of solar radiation, of solar radiation concentration and of energy storage is summarized. The experience with and operating knowledge from the major international demonstration solar power plants are reviewed and latest principles of plant design, engineering and economics are presented.

1 The Energy Heptagon.- 2 Solar Radiation Conversion.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 Solar Radiant Flux.- 2.3 Thermodynamic Quality of Solar Radiation.- 2.4 Concentration of Radiation.- 2.5 Conversion to Heat.- 2.6 Conversion of Radiation to Electrical Energy.- 2.7 Photochemical Conversion.- 2.8 Appendix 1: Measurement of Solar Radiation.- 2.9 Appendix 2: Frequently Used Symbols.- 3 Concentrator Optics.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Basic Optics.- 3.3 Concentration Optics.- 3.4 Ideal Concentrators.- 3.5 Parabolic Geometries.- 3.6 Other Concentrating Geometries.- 3.7 Central Receivers.- 3.8 Design Issues and Constraints.- 3.9 System Sizing.- 3.10 Appendix: Frequently Used Symbols.- 4 Aspects of Solar Power Plant Engineering.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Solar and Conventional Power Plants: Similarities and Differences.- 4.3 Engineering Aspects.- 4.4 Design Aspects.- 5 Thermal Receivers.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Principles and Concepts for Energy Transfer.- 5.3 Thermal and Thermodynamic Basis for Receiver Design.- 5.4 Physical Interactions.- 5.5 Engineering Methods of Computation.- 5.6 Receiver Designs.- 5.7 Relationships Between Design and Type of Application.- 5.8 Status and Prospects.- 5.9 Measurement Techniques.- 5.10 Receiver Loss Calculation Examples.- 5.11 Appendix: Frequently Used Terms.- 6 Thermal Storage for Solar Power Plants.- 6.1 Impact of Storage on Solar Power Plants.- 6.2 Media for Thermal Storage.- 6.3 State-of-the-art of Thermal Storage for Solar Power Plants.- 6.4 Appendix: Frequently Used Symbols.- 7 Thermal Solar Power Plants Experience.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Farm Solar Power Plants with Line-Focussing Collectors.- 7.3 Farm Solar Power Plants with Point-Focussing Collectors.- 7.4 Central Receiver Solar Power Plants with Heliostat Fields.- 7.5 Individual Dish Solar Power Plants.- 7.6 Comparison of Thermal Solar Power Plants.- 7.7 Test Sites for Solar-Thermal R&D.- 7.8 Thermal Solar Power Plant Modelling and Calculation Codes.- 7.9 Appendix: Solar Thermal Facility Data.- 8 Photovoltaic Power Stations.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Technical Aspects of Solar Cells.- 8.3 Status of Solar Cell Development.- 8.4 Photovoltaic Modules.- 8.5 Power Conditioning Systems.- 8.6 Supporting Structures.- 8.7 Tracking and Concentrating Systems.- 8.8 Design Considerations for Grid-Connected Power Plants.- 8.9 PV Plant Operating Experience.- 8.10 Photovoltaic Solar Systems Modelling and Calculation Codes.- 8.11 Appendix: Frequently Used Symbols.- 8.12 Appendix: Photovoltaic Facility Data.- 9 Solar Fuels and Chemicals, Solar Hydrogen.- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.2 Endothermal Chemical Processes Coupled with Solar Energy.- 9.3 Receiver-Reactors for Solar Chemical Applications.- 9.4 High Temperature Processes for Fuels and Chemicals Production.- 9.5 Additional Chemical Processing Using Solar Energy.- 9.6 Steam/Carbondioxide Reforming of Methane - A Candidate Process.- 9.7 High Temperature Processes by Direct Absorption of Solar Radiation.- 9.8 Electrolytic Production of Hydrogen with Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Power Plants.- 10 Cost Analysis of Solar Power Plants.- 10.1 SPP Technologies in Comparison.- 10.2 Investment, Operating and Maintenance Cost.- 10.3 Power Plant Cost Analysis and Comparison.- 10.4 Market Considerations.- Appendix A: Glossary of Terms.- A.1 Solar Resource Terminology.- A.2 Solar Thermal Terminology.- A.3 Photovoltaic Terminology.- A.4 Financial Terminology.- Appendix B: Abbreviations and Acronyms.- B.1 Radiation, Solar.- B.2 Thermal.- B.3 Photovoltaic.- B.4 Cost/Economic.- B.5 Acronyms.