🏭CommercialRenewable Energy • Solar

Concentrated Solar Power with Thermal Storage

Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) systems use mirrors to focus sunlight for thermal energy production, enabling electricity generation with 10-15 hour molten salt storage for dispatchable renewable power. Modern CSP plants achieve 40-50%^[1] thermal efficiency with costs of $0.06-0.10 per kWh including storage. Projects like Noor Ouarzazate and Solana represent gigawatt-scale deployments with capacity factors of 40-70%^[1] including storage.

How It Works

Arrays of mirrors focus concentrated sunlight onto receivers containing heat transfer fluids that reach 400-1000°C. Thermal energy is stored in molten salt systems enabling electricity generation during evening hours through steam turbines. Parabolic trough, solar tower, and dish-engine configurations provide different concentration ratios and temperature ranges. Advanced heat transfer fluids and thermal storage systems extend operating hours and improve efficiency.

Advantages

Provides dispatchable renewable electricity with 10-15 hour storage duration, enables grid stability services including frequency regulation and voltage support, and uses abundant materials without rare earth elements. CSP plants have 25-30 year operational lifespans with predictable performance. The technology supports industrial process heat applications.

Challenges

Requires high direct solar irradiation limiting deployment to desert regions, substantial water consumption for cooling systems in arid environments, and high capital costs of $3,000-6,000 per kW^[1]. Complex installations require specialized expertise and maintenance. Competition from declining photovoltaic and battery storage costs.