Kilowatt-Scale Solar Thermal Power Plants

Small-scale solar thermal power systems are potentially advantageous in remote power generation applications, particularly where both thermal and electric power are required. To date these systems have only been commercialized as large scale power plants where power cycle infrastructure is borrowed from existing conventional thermal plants. Small scale power cycles for solar thermal plants are currently not commercially available. The organic Rankine cycle (ORC) offers significant promise for small-scale solar power generation, as heat engines based on an ORC are appropriate for converting relatively low temperature (<300 degrees C) thermal energy to electric power. This facilitates operating at modest temperatures using relatively low cost solar collectors such as the parabolic trough mirror. Costs are also addressed by using cycle designs based on the use of modifications of low-cost mass-produced fluid components such as are available from the HVAC industry. This project also involves collaboration with the student-led STG (Solar Turbine Group).