Forecasting DNI Requirements for STE commercial plants santiago.arias@torresolenergy.conrr esolenergy.com Torresol, forecasting DNI requirements for operation of STE commercial plants 1
What is CSP Technology A complex 4-step process: Light Concentration. Mirrors High Temperature Fluid. Oil, molten salts, water, air. Heat transformed into Mechanical energy (Turbine, Stirling engine ) Rotation converted into electricity (Electrical generator: Alternator) Torresol, forecasting DNI requirements for operation of STE commercial plants 2
CSP Tecnologies Advantages: Hybridation Solar Thermal. Storage of energy. Other forms of hybridation. And a result: a reliable and constant (24h) source of electrical energy Torresol, forecasting DNI requirements for operation of STE commercial plants 3
Torresol Company 60% 40% Engineering, consulting, and system integration company. Founded in 1956. Very active in Renewable Energy since 2000. Technology developer: SENERtrough collector system, Sensol software, heliostats, heliostat axis drive mechanisms, molten salt technology (as storage system and as heat transfer fluid) central tower receiver amongst many other innovations. PSA Tower Prototype. Turn Key Projects: Andasol 1 & 2, in Granada; Extresol 1, 2 & 3, in Badajoz; one plant in La Garrovilla (22 CSP plants) Plant Operation: Torresol and Waste to energy plants 100% Mubadala Development Company stockholding. Mubadala Development Company belongs to the Abu Dhabi Emirate. Goal: development and commercialization of innovative technologies in renewable, alternative and sustainable energies. Torresol, forecasting DNI requirements for operation of STE commercial plants 4
With 3 Plants in Operation Torresol, forecasting DNI requirements for operation of STE commercial plants 5
Sener Solar Technology Parabolic Trough Plants Central Tower Solar Plants The Thermal Storage System Torresol, forecasting DNI requirements for operation of STE commercial plants 6
Parabolic Trough Plants Aerial View Torresol, forecasting DNI requirements for operation of STE commercial plants 7
Senertrough Solar Collector Low manufacturing cost Low assembly cost High repeatability during manufacturing and assembly of the SCEs High performance Good durability and maintenance costs Installation (1 loop=576 m of trough): 156x3 loops in Extresol 1,2&3 (270Km) 152x2 loops in Manchasol 1&2 156x2 loops in Valle 1&2 156x2 loops in Termosol 1&2 120x2 loops in ASTE 1&2 96 loops in Palma del Rio 230x2 in USA (FPL) 124 loops in Orellana 170 loops in Africana Lanco plants etc 2540 Km of trough Torresol, forecasting DNI requirements for operation of STE commercial plants 8
The Power Block Torresol, forecasting DNI requirements for operation of STE commercial plants 9
CENTRAL TOWER PLANTS with MOLTEN SALT STORAGE Torresol, forecasting DNI requirements for operation of STE commercial plants 10
Gemasolar Plant Basic Plant Description Torresol, forecasting DNI requirements for operation of STE commercial plants 11
M. Salt Central Tower Advantages Maximum storage capacity. Due to the storage system, the turbine operation is not immediately affected by a cloud or a sudden high speed wind. A cloud will affect the production 6-15 hours later. The turbine would not stop every night. Longer expected life. The turbine power is manageable. We may choose reduce the output during the night, at valley time, to reach 24 h of continuous operation at lower rate. We maximize the asset utilization. In case of GS will are expecting to produce 6400 h/year, maximizing the profitability Lower operational costs All fluids concentrated in an small area. Low thermal loses and maintenance costs. Self draining piping. Highest cycle efficiency The molten salts reach highest temperatures maximizing thermodynamic efficiency. Torresol, forecasting DNI requirements for operation of STE commercial plants 12
Plant operation : Summer Turbine at nominal power continuously running in summer Torresol, forecasting DNI requirements for operation of STE commercial plants 13
Plant operation: Winter Non-stop operation in winter time. Torresol, forecasting DNI requirements for operation of STE commercial plants 14
Requirements of the methodological forecast, DNI and clouds One of the most important goals for STE commercial plants is to obtain the maximum energy from the Sun. In order to optimize the production of the plant it is necessary to have a good hourly prediction of DNI in the following 24 h 48 hours. Meinel (24-48 hours) Prediction (24-48 hours) Nowcasting (4-5 hours) Real DNI recorded (on time) Torresol, forecasting DNI requirements for operation of STE commercial plants 15
Requirements of the methodological forecast, DNI and clouds Estimation of DNI Torresol, forecasting DNI requirements for operation of STE commercial plants 16
Requirements of the methodological forecast, DNI and clouds To operate the plants it is necessary to know the location of clouds over the solar field and DNI transients, short-term 0-30 minutes and middle-term 30 minutes 8 hours. Short-term 0-30 minutes with a resolution of 1 minute. Medium-term 30 minutes-8 hours with a resolution of 15 minutes. Torresol, forecasting DNI requirements for operation of STE commercial plants 17
Requirements of the methodological forecast, DNI and clouds Estimation of DNI & cloud prediction Torresol, forecasting DNI requirements for operation of STE commercial plants 18
Questions? Torresol, forecasting DNI requirements for operation of STE commercial plants 19