Solar One - 10-MWe solar central receiver power plant Lessons learned in design, construction, and start-up
Abstract
Practical aspects of solar-power-plant design, construction, and operation are examined in a survey of the Solar One central-receiver project in Barstow, California, from its authorization in 1975 through the initial months of normal operation in late 1982. The organization and management of the project is sketched, and the plant systems are characterized: 1818-heliostat microprocessor-controlled collector, 800-tube 302-sq m receiver capable of delivering 51,000 kg/h of steam at 516 C and 10.1 MPa, thermocline-tank thermal-storage system, master control, beam-characterization system, conventional Rankine steam-turbine generator, and support systems. The technical, control, and management lessons learned in the progress of the project are discussed individually. Preliminary operational data indicate that Solar One will not meet the design goal of 26 GW h net average annual generation, primarily due to unexpectedly high auxiliary power consumption by the plant itself. The need to optimize plants for minimum auxiliary power requirements, especially during shutdown periods, is indicated.
- Publication:
-
American Society of Mechanical Engineers and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
- Pub Date:
- September 1983
- Bibcode:
- 1983asme.confS....B
- Keywords:
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- Design Analysis;
- Energy Technology;
- Solar Collectors;
- Solar Thermal Electric Power Plants;
- Utilities;
- California;
- Construction;
- Corrosion;
- Heliostats;
- Layouts;
- Microprocessors;
- Solar Generators;
- Steam Turbines;
- Energy Production and Conversion