Solar Power Tower System: Harnessing Sun's Energy for Continuous Electricity Production
Concentrated solar energy systems convert solar energy into high-temperature heat energy through reflective surfaces and absorber equipment. The heat produced is used in turbine-generator systems to produce electricity. Solar power towers are central receiving power plants. In the system, many reflectors placed in a large area called heliostat follow the incoming sun rays in two independent axes and concentrate them on the top of the tower in the center. Concentrated high thermal energy heats the fluid in the receiver. The heated fluid is sent to the steam generator to produce steam. The produced steam is passed through the steam turbine to obtain electrical energy. The steam that completes the cycle is cooled by the cooling water cycle in the condenser and sent back to the system.
In general, the most commonly used heat transfer fluids in concentrated solar energy systems are molten salts and synthetic and petroleum-based oils.
Storage System
In the solar power tower system, thermal storage systems can be used if the maximum steam requirement of the turbine is exceeded. Thus, continuity of electricity production is ensured during the day, even during hours when the sun's rays are not shining.
