Journal of Solar Energy Engineering · 2011 · 136 citations · 7 references
EngineeringEnergy EfficiencyEnergy ConversionStorage BehaviorPower Electronic SystemsThermal Energy StoragePhotovoltaic SystemPhotovoltaicsSolid MediaStorage SystemsStorage TechnologyRenewable Energy SystemsSolar Thermal EnergyPower SystemsSolar Energy UtilisationElectrical EngineeringSolar PowerIn-space Electric PowerEnergy Storage SystemPerformance CalculationHeat TransferSolar CoolingStorage SubsystemEnergy ManagementThermal Engineering
Storage technology based on solid media heated in direct contact—regenerators—promotes the market introduction of solar central receiver plants with air receivers, yet existing technologies face design issues that must be addressed. The study aimed to experimentally verify and quantify the performance of the storage subsystem at the Solar Power Tower Jülich. The experiment used a reactivated gas burner to run operation sequences, while computer simulations were employed to retrace storage behavior and validate the models. The tests confirmed the storage subsystem’s full functionality, efficient cycling at high discharge heat rates with low losses, and agreement between measurements and simulations, underscoring the technology’s promise and the maturity of design tools.
Storage technology based on solid media heated in direct contact—so-called regenerators—is well suited to promote the market introduction of solar central receiver plants with air receivers. However, starting from existing technologies, several design issues need to be addressed. A test campaign was performed at the Solar Power Tower Jülich, an experimental central receiver plant, to experimentally verify the functionality and to quantify the performance of the plant’s storage subsystem. To this end, a gas burner used during commissioning of the plant, was reactivated and used to run a series of operation sequences. Computer simulations have been set up and applied to retrace the storage behavior to confirm the validity of the underlying models and to gain further insight into the relevant phenomena. The test results confirm the full functionality of the storage subsystem, the ability to perform cycling at high discharge heat rates and relatively low heat losses, supporting the view that the technology represents a promising basis for up-scaled implementations. Measurement data and simulation results are in good agreement, confirming the maturity of existing design tools.
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