How is solar energy used in a CSP plant?

In a CSP plant that includes storage, the solar energy is first used to heat molten salt or synthetic oil, which is stored providing thermal/heat energy at high temperature in insulated tanks. Later the hot molten salt (or oil) is used in a steam generator to produce steam to generate electricity by steam turbo generator as required.

How much energy will CSP provide in 2050?

According to the European Solar Thermal Energy Association, the International Energy Agency, and Greenpeace, CSP might provide 3–3.6% of the global energy supply in 2030 and 8–11.8% by 2050. This suggests a necessity for a two-digit capacity increase in the next years, which has not yet been shown .

Is hybrid CSP a good solar energy configuration?

If the energy demand is high in comparison to the available energy storage and primary resources, Ayadi et al. evaluated the hybrid CSP technology as a solar energy configuration that satisfies predictability and dispatchability requirements.

What is concentrated solar power (CSP) & thermal energy storage (TES)?

Concentrated solar power (CSP) is a promising technology to generate electricity from solar energy. Thermal energy storage (TES) is a crucial element in CSP plants for storing surplus heat from the solar field and utilizing it when needed.

How does CSP technology affect the environment?

CSP systems also need less land for each unit of electricity generated as compared to other renewable energy sources like wind and solar photovoltaics . The use of CSP technology does, however, have certain unintended and perhaps harmful effects on the surrounding environment.

What makes a CSP plant a dispatchable form of solar?

A CSP plant can incorporate thermal energy storage, which stores energy either in the form of sensible heat or as latent heat (for example, using molten salt), which enables these plants to continue supplying electricity whenever it is needed, day or night. This makes CSP a dispatchable form of solar.