Concentrating Solar Power (CSP)

Concentrating Solar Power

Concentrating solar power (CSP) uses arrays of mirrors to concentrate large amounts of heat by focusing sunlight from a large field into a much smaller area. The concentrated heat energy is then used in a conventional power cycle or other heat engine to produce mechanical power that drives an electrical generator. The heat can also be efficiently and cheaply stored to produce electricity when the sun is not shining. Typically, CSP power plants generate large amounts of power (hundreds of megawatts) for utility-scale applications.

The Concentrating Solar Technologies Department develops solar thermal electric technologies for the DOE Solar Thermal Electric Program. Working in conjunction with the Photovoltaics Systems Department and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the department has developed parabolic trough, power tower, and dish/engine technology to support virtually every major solar thermal electric activity in the United States. In conjunction with industry, our staff have had pivotal technical and programmatic roles in the Solar Two power tower project; dish/engine joint venture programs with SAIC, Allied Signal, and Boeing; and in the development of advanced concepts, components (heliostats, solar receivers, and engines), and systems. We also support a range of systems analyses, market identification studies, and international cooperative projects (through the International Energy Agency (IEA) working group SolarPACES), conducted in cooperation with industry partners.

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Solar CSP R&D Activities at Sandia

Sandia works with its partner laboratory, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) located in Golden, CO, in a “virtual laboratory” concept called SunLab. SunLab supports the DOE Concentrating Solar Power Program and U.S. CSP industry by providing: R&D on CSP components and systems, advanced component development, component and systems analysis, test and evaluation, and supporting market development activities.

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National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF)

• Heliostat Field
• Solar Tower
• Molten Salt Test Loop
• Regional Test Facility
• Rotating Platform
• Concentrated Photovoltaics
• Engine Test Facility
• Optics Lab
• Dish Test Facility
• Solar Furnace
• Work for Others (WFO)
• User Fees for NSTTF Capabilities

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Software & Tools

Concentrating Solar Power Resources

Sandia Concentrating Solar Technologies Contacts

News

Solar Test Facility Upgrades Complete, Leading to Better Sandia Capabilities to Support Power IndustryA recent overhaul of the DOE’s National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF), operated by Sandia, is dramatically improving researchers’ ability to understand and use concentrating solar power (CSP). The $17.8M upgrade to the NSTTF adds state-of-the-art test capabilities, and the resulting research is expected to lead to more solar power use on the electric grid. [...]

Pratt Whitney Rocketdyne TestingOn November 24, 2012 the National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF) began testing of the Pratt Whitney Rocketdyne (PWR) solar receiver shroud.  Fifteen days of solar testing are scheduled for this testing.  The flux levels on the shroud range between 100 and 500 suns.  The work is sponsored by PWR in cooperation with the Department [...]

NASA TestingDuring the week of October 15 multiple ablator samples were exposed to the concentrated solar beam.  The samples were provided by NASA via Work for Others agreement.  Some of the samples were five-inches in diameter and others were 12-inches square.  The samples were exposed to 150-200 W/cm2 flux levels for up to 300 seconds using [...]