Solar Thermal Electricity Generation EURELIOS, the 1 MW(el) Helioelectric Power Plant of the European Communities

Abstract

The different technologies of solar thermal power electricity conversion are discussed and the main power plants under construction or already in operation are listed. EURELIOS, the world's first experimental solar power plant in the megawatt range, the construction of which was completed by the end of 1980 and which feeds electricity into the grid of ENEL, the Italian National Electricity Board, is described in detail. First operational results are presented. The costs of solar electricity, as well as means to achieve cost reductions are considered. With future total conversion efficiencies of 35% for gas/steam hybrid systems, e.g., and indicated heliostat costs of US $ 100/m 2 J. Gretz , Proc. of a course held at the JRC of the Commission of the European Communities , Ispra , Italy , Elsevier Sequoia ( 1979 ) . [Google Scholar] there is room for hope that solar thermal systems will remain competitive with photovoltaics, especially if process heat is used as a by-product.