Solar Thermal Power Plants
Of the 2 primary methods used for harnessing the sun's energy, solar-thermal is more readily adapted to large-scale projects using Concentrated Solar Power or CSP.
CSP involves concentrating the sun's rays and focusing the energy onto a central collector or receiver, water inside the receiver is then heated under pressure to temperatures up to 400°C and then converted to steam for electricity generation.
Eco-Kinetics’ solar-thermal systems are based on Fresnel-reflector technology, where long flat reflectors, typically in rows of 8, follow the sun's movement across the sky to focus the sun's rays on a secondary reflector, in a central and stationary position about 7 meters high above the mirrors. Pipe receivers within the panels produce steam due to the vast amount of heat. This steam in-turn can then be fed directly into high-efficiency steam turbines to produce electricity.
Solar thermal plants are also particularly well suited as ‘boosters' in geothermal power plants. The main advantages of boosting the temperature of geothermally heated steam are:
- Additional generating capacity can be provided during daylight hours to match industry loads
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Higher steam temperatures provide higher efficiencies at the steam turbines
Eco-Kinetics solar thermal engineering team can provide:
- Economic feasibility analysis & reporting
- Site appraisal
- Building approvals
- Custom design, installation & commissioning
- Turn-key project management
- Operational advice & maintenance support