Article
Thermodynamics
L. M. Varon, B. Narvaez-Romo, L. Costa-Sobral, G. Barreto, J. R. Simoes
Summary: A novel 32 kWe high flux solar simulator comprising of eight xenon arc lamps and paraboloid mirrors was designed and tested. The lamp radiation spectrum and thermal power were measured, and a heat superposition method was used to estimate the concentrated thermal power. The experiment achieved a 10.2% energy conversion efficiency with a peak flux of 1028 kWm-2 on a 100 mm spot diameter.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Matthew L. Bauer
Summary: Concentrating solar thermal systems offer the flexibility to integrate with thermal energy storage, allowing for continuous production of electricity, process heat, and chemical products. The solar receiver, a crucial component, imposes limitations on system performance. Successfully translating research innovations into viable components requires a comprehensive development approach.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Krzysztof Sornek, Maciej Zoladek, Karolina Papis-Fraczek, Maciej Szram, Mariusz Filipowicz
Summary: The electricity generation from photovoltaic systems has experienced significant growth over the past two decades. The use of concentrating solar power collectors is an interesting trend in solar radiation conversion. This paper presents experimental works on a micro-scale parabolic-through solar concentrator equipped with monocrystalline silicon solar cells. Results show that concentrated sunlight can enhance the efficiency of photovoltaic solar cells by approximately 29% compared to direct sunlight. This study demonstrates the justification for using solar radiation concentrators in solar installations, even with low concentration ratio factors.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Janna Martinek, Michael J. Wagner
Summary: This paper proposes a methodology to reduce the computational burden associated with simulation of electricity yield and revenue for CSP plants over a single-or multiyear period by employing data-clustering techniques to select a small number of limited-duration time blocks for simulation that can reproduce generation and revenue.
Article
Thermodynamics
Qiliang Wang, Junchao Huang, Zhicheng Shen, Yao Yao, Gang Pei, Hongxing Yang
Summary: The study on solar power tower receiver efficiency revealed the presence of negative thermal flux phenomenon and proposed the use of novel coatings to enhance thermal performance. By comparing the thermal performance of different tower receivers, it was demonstrated that tower receivers with novel coatings have great potential for practical applications.
ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Qiliang Wang, Guiqiang Li, Jingyu Cao, Mingke Hu, Gang Pei, Hongxing Yang
Summary: The solar power tower is an important application of concentrating solar power technology, and the tower receiver plays a crucial role in absorbing and converting solar energy. However, the nonuniformity of solar flux and temperature distribution on the tower receiver challenges the spectral selectivity of the solar absorbing coating (SAC). A spectral heat transfer model is established and verified to explore the optimal spectral characters and tradeoff of radiation properties of the SAC. The results show that the design principle for the advanced SAC should focus more on thermal emittance rather than solar absorptance.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Cristina Prieto, Francisco Javier Pino, Luisa F. Cabeza
Summary: This study evaluates the technoeconomic potential of a CSP plant with high temperature concrete as TES system compared to the standard commercial molten salts system, and finds that the molten salt system performs better than the high temperature concrete configuration in general conditions.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
L. G. Redelinghuys, M. C. Tshamala, T. M. Hans
Summary: Investigation of an adiabatic pre-cooling mechanical draft system for concentrating solar power plants in arid regions. The system combines the advantages of dry and adiabatic cooling. The study aims to demonstrate the system's advantages in terms of water consumption and cooling performance compared to conventional dry and wet cooling.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Cristina Prieto, Anton Lopez-Roman, Luisa F. Cabeza
Summary: Commercial CSP plants use solar salt as thermal storage media, but its decomposition at high temperatures can be problematic. This paper investigates the use of different cover gases (dry air and oxygen) on the decomposition of solar salt. Results show that oxygen slows down the thermal decomposition of solar salt, reducing the formation of NOx and nitrites compared to dry air.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Susant Kumar Sahu, Arjun Singh Kopalakrishnaswami, Sendhil Kumar Natarajan
Summary: Solar energy is a promising form of energy that can meet the world's energy needs. The solar parabolic dish collector system has gained attention for its higher thermal energy conversion efficiency and unique advantages. This article reviews the progress of solar concentrating techniques using solar parabolic dish collectors and discusses their applications in heat and electrical power production.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Sara Pascual, Pilar Lisbona, Luis M. Romeo
Summary: Thermal energy storage (TES) is an effective solution to enhance the dispatchability of concentrating solar power (CSP) plants. The use of novel TES materials can reduce costs and improve the thermal performance of associated power blocks. This review provides an overview of CSP technologies, TES technologies, and TES-CSP configurations in currently operational facilities, as well as the research and development projects conducted in Europe and North America over the past decade. The review presents data on project details, including TES-CSP configurations, technologies applied, storage capacity, power block information, and levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), as well as project location, research period, project leader, and budget information.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Janna Martinek, Sameer Jape, Craig S. Turchi
Summary: This paper analyzes the predicted optical, thermal-fluids, and structural performance of traditional external tubular solar receiver configurations applied with a chloride salt heat transfer fluid (HTF) and inlet/outlet temperatures, considering sensitivity analysis and optimization relative to various design parameters. High-temperature creep and creep-fatigue damage are key factors limiting solar flux concentration and receiver thermal efficiency, especially at near-800 degrees C wall temperature conditions. The study presents variation in optimal receiver performance under uncertainty in specific constraints.
Review
Energy & Fuels
Luisa F. Cabeza, Emiliano Borri, Cristina Prieto
Summary: This paper assesses the research trends and topics in the field of concentrating solar power (CSP) through bibliometric analysis. The results show that the latest approaches for corrosion migration in CSP plants include selective coatings and the use of nanoparticles. The techniques used to evaluate corrosion results are mainly scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and electrochemical testing, but new dynamic techniques are emerging.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Alberto Giaconia, Irena Balog, Giampaolo Caputo
Summary: Hybridization of CSP plants with alternative energy sources can improve flexibility of operation and utilization factor of the plant. Experimental results show that heat transfer correlations based on the Dittus-Boelter equation can predict experimental results effectively.
Article
Thermodynamics
Xueming Yang, Wenchao Jiang, Chang Ji, Qingwu Wang
Summary: Molten salts are crucial in solar thermal power generation systems. A study has successfully prepared ternary carbonate nanofluids with ZnO nanoparticles, which show enhanced heat capacity and reduced corrosivity.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL ANALYSIS AND CALORIMETRY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Siddharth Sradhasagar, Omkar Subhasish Khuntia, Srikanta Biswal, Sougat Purohit, Amritendu Roy
Summary: In this study, machine learning models were developed to predict the bandgap and its character of double perovskite materials, with LGBMRegressor and XGBClassifier models identified as the best predictors. These models were further employed to predict the bandgap of novel bismuth-based transition metal oxide double perovskites, showing high accuracy, especially in the range of 1.2-1.8 eV.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Wei Shuai, Haoran Xu, Baoyang Luo, Yihui Huang, Dong Chen, Peiwang Zhu, Gang Xiao
Summary: In this study, a hybrid model based on numerical simulation and deep learning is proposed for the optimization and operation of solar receivers. By applying the model to different application scenarios and considering multiple performance objectives, small errors are achieved and optimal structure parameters and heliostat scales are identified. This approach is not only applicable to gas turbines but also heating systems.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Mubashar Ali, Zunaira Bibi, M. W. Younis, Muhammad Mubashir, Muqaddas Iqbal, Muhammad Usman Ali, Muhammad Asif Iqbal
Summary: This study investigates the structural, mechanical, and optoelectronic properties of the BaCuF3 fluoroperovskite using the first-principles modelling approach. The stability and characteristics of different cubic structures of BaCuF3 are evaluated, and the alpha-BaCuF3 and beta-BaCuF3 compounds are found to be mechanically stable with favorable optical properties for solar cells and high-frequency UV applications.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Dong Le Khac, Shahariar Chowdhury, Asmaa Soheil Najm, Montri Luengchavanon, Araa mebdir Holi, Mohammad Shah Jamal, Chin Hua Chia, Kuaanan Techato, Vidhya Selvanathan
Summary: A novel recycling system is proposed in this study to decompose and reclaim the constituent materials of organic-inorganic perovskite solar cells (PSCs). By utilizing a one-step solution process extraction approach, the chemical composition of each layer is successfully preserved, enabling their potential reuse. The proposed recycling technique helps mitigate pollution risks, minimize waste generation, and reduce recycling costs.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Peijie Lin, Feng Guo, Xiaoyang Lu, Qianying Zheng, Shuying Cheng, Yaohai Lin, Zhicong Chen, Lijun Wu, Zhuang Qian
Summary: This paper proposes an open-set fault diagnosis model for PV arrays based on 1D VoVNet-SVDD. The model accurately diagnoses various types of faults and is capable of identifying unknown fault types.
