The potential of the solar system, and particularly that of photovoltaic (PV) solar cells, impressed people in the late 1970s. With no moving parts, these cells use sunlight to produce power, providing a solution to the global electricity crisis. But there was an issue, though, with these solar cells in the beginning. They were extremely expensive, costing thousands of dollars just to power a small number of homes.
This is where large mirrors that can also convert sunbeams into electricity, a competing technique, came into play.By harnessing the heat and focus of the sun’s rays. The first commercial solar electric power plant in the world is what you are currently viewing. Solar One is the name of it. The most promising solar technology at the time appeared to be concentrated solar power.
But by the time we get to now, it has almost all been forgotten.
Great expectations were held for this pure, clean, consistent and reliable energy and an equally tremendous letdown is the backstory.
The Rise and Fall of concentrated solar power (CSP):
Concentrated solar power (CSP) was considered a viable large-scale solar technology in the early 2000s. The goal of the proposal was to build more CSP plants in the sahara desert in order to supply Europe with clean electricity. However, after an unforeseen event, photovoltaic technology started to become less expensive due to Germany’s broad legislative support and China’s rapidly developing technological capabilities. Within a single decade, the costs of photovoltaic solar cells decreased by almost 90%, leading to the global dominance of solar technology.
As PV solar grew more and more dominant, CSP began to battle with rival PV solar. The popularity of PV technology declined in 2011 when CSP began to cost more than photovoltaics. The complexity of CSP plants’ operations, which require thousands of mirrors to track the sun and keep the focal point at a constant temperature, is what is causing this change to intensify. However, setting this up is problematic since clouds and other external factors can occasionally affect the system.
The most notorious failure of CSP was the Dunes project in Nevada, USA. It cost an astounding $1 billion to build and was expected to revolutionize clean electricity when it began operating in 2015. However, the project never reached its projected average output, which was supposed to power 75,000 homes, and there were numerous outages owing to technical issues, many of which had to do with the molten salt the plant used.
The Unique Advantage of CSP: Nighttime Power:
Despite these drawbacks, CSP has one significant benefit over photovoltaic solar power: it can generate energy during the night by storing melted salt in its tanks, which will be used to generate electricity without the need for sunshine.
China began spending more in CSP in recent years after realizing this potential. China now has 30 CSP plants, but other nations do not. The Chinese government considers it crucial that any major renewable energy plant have a certain amount of storage capacity in order for CSP to start looking like a viable alternative. These plants employ PV solar energy during the day and CSP energy storage at night to create a more precise and adaptable system.
Problems and Considerations with Molten Salts:
The difficulties and considerations associated with molten salts include the fact that many of them are corrosive, with nitrates being the least corrosive; corroded metals will eventually lead to equipment breaking down, weakening, and failing; and molten salts freeze at a temperature higher than atmospheric pressure. Ionic compounds, like sodium chloride, are characterized by their ions being fixed in place in the solid state, making them incapable of conducting electricity. In contrast, ionic compounds in the molten state allow their ions to move freely, which makes molten sodium chloride conducive to electrical current flow.
The Future of CSP: A Niche Technology?
Even if CSP doesn’t have the same level of fame as PV solar, it might be able to carve out a new niche in bright locations by producing dispatchable electricity at night. Australian businesses are developing solutions to combat the issues that have previously beset CSP. One such solution is vest. For instance, instead of using molten salt, the vast uses smaller, simpler towers that are easier to construct. This makes things easier in the event that something goes wrong.
Whether CSP is a viable energy technology in the future may depend on how well these new projects go, particularly in China. This once-promising technology may see a rebirth in other regions of the world if China’s efforts result in economies of scale and more reasonably priced CSP facilities.
Conclusion: CSP’s Role in a Renewable Future:
The history of the CSP has been highly turbulent, with many hopes ending in disappointment as inexpensive PV solar panels take center stage. Nonetheless, the CSP is visible because to its nighttime electricity generation capability and broad range storage capacity. Even though there is little likelihood of dominance after one prediction, CSP could be beneficial in the future of renewable energy, particularly in areas with plenty of sunshine.
When it comes to providing steady energy in situations where fossil fuels are not an option, CSP may be able to serve as a supplement to photovoltaics. This is because the globe is still in need of clean, dependable, and dispatchable energy. The upcoming year will be crucial in determining if CSP can overcome its prior setbacks and continue to play a role in the world energy scene.
