THE FUTURE OF CONCENTRATED SOLAR POWER PLANTS

PRECISE ENGINEERING FOR MAXIMUM POWER GENERATION
A successful solar project essentially depends on the engineering
quality. Without proper components the two most important
factors for an economically effi cient facility – availability and
reliability – will suffer. Under certain conditions the longevity will
also be signifi cantly reduced due to abrasion and stressing of components.
All our solutions are adjusted to the individual conditions
at hand. With our core competency within the water-steam cycle
and our premium engineering, we can enhance the effi ciency of
the whole plant. That applies to all solar thermal technologies on
the market.
SOLAR ISLAND
The Solar Island is the core of any power station. Solar refl ec -
tors bundle sun rays onto special absorbers that will transform solar
energy into heat and convey it to heat exchangers. These heat
exchangers are essential to effi ciency. To cover individual requirements
spx has one of the broadest product ranges on the market.
For instance, the spx Molten Salt Heat Exchanger: For certain
technologies such as parabolic trough systems or Fresnel plants it
provides the interface between the heat piping and the salt silos
used as energy storage. Designed for high heat transfer rates and
maximum temperature operation, the device ensures maximum
thermal effi ciency and less material stressing. It can be integrated
to solar storage systems for an improved overall performance. The
whole plant profi ts from the spx Molten Salt Heat Exchanger with
its optimized electricity load profi le.
STEAM GENERATOR SYSTEM
The steam generator converts the collected heat from the solar
fi eld into thermal energy through several different stations. spx
covers the whole process with perfectly interacting components
down to every detail. All components allow for fl exible design
options, quick start-up times and a high number of operating
cycles while keeping operational and investment costs at bay. One
example is the spx Balcke-Dürr Once-Through Steam Generator,
Best-in-Class Technology
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which is particularly suitable for concentrated solar power plants:
The device integrates preheater, evaporator and superheater in
one vessel, reducing piping costs and pressure loss. A once-through
concept enables the main steam conditions to be increased, which
provides higher effi ciencies. The header-type design reduces
the start-up times of the overall plant through high temperature
gradients. Compared to conventional units, these steam generators
enable the power plant to be operated much more fl exibly and
cost effectively.
POWER ISLAND
The water-steam cycle routes the steam to the turbines for power
generation. Afterwards, the steam condenses to water again – fi rst
inside the spx Condenser and then into the spx Evaporative Cooling
tower. Exactly within this special combination of components
lies one of spx’s key competencies: the Cold End. The components
of this highly complex system determine the ultimate performance
of a power plant. For example, the slightest change in the specifi -
cations of the condenser has a large impact on the performance of
the cooling tower and vice versa. The more fl exible to change the
basic parameters for each component we are, the more scope there
is for the optimization of the entire Cold End. spx provides a variety
of components that are specifi cally designed for solar usage,
for dry cooling for example the spx Solar Air-Cooled Condenser.
This air-cooled condenser eliminates nearly totally water consumption,
which enables to locate solar power plants in arid areas as
well.
WE MEASURE THE SUCCESS OF OUR SOLUTIONS
BY FOUR FACTORS
Our system expertise that enables us to fi t power plant components
exactly according to the individual needs of the utility. Our
comprehensive range of services that covers the entire thermal
systems engineering of a solar power plant in-depth. Our wellproven
expertise and innovation that ensure future-proof quality,
and not to forget our customer focus that fl ows through a global
network with many local presences.