Low-Cost Solar Electricity Using Stationary Solar Fields; Technology Potential and Practical Implementation Challenges to Be Overcome. Outcomes from H2020 MOSAIC Project

At any time of the day, a spherical mirror reflects the rays coming from the sun along a line that points to the sun through the center of the sphere. This makes it possible to build concentrated solar power(CSP) plants with fixed solar fields and mobile receivers; that is, solar fields can be signi...

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Main Authors: Cristóbal Villasante, Saioa Herrero, Marcelino Sánchez, Iñigo Pagola, Adrian Peña, David Olasolo, Ana Bernardos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-04-01
Series:Energies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/7/1816
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author Cristóbal Villasante
Saioa Herrero
Marcelino Sánchez
Iñigo Pagola
Adrian Peña
David Olasolo
Ana Bernardos
author_facet Cristóbal Villasante
Saioa Herrero
Marcelino Sánchez
Iñigo Pagola
Adrian Peña
David Olasolo
Ana Bernardos
author_sort Cristóbal Villasante
collection DOAJ
description At any time of the day, a spherical mirror reflects the rays coming from the sun along a line that points to the sun through the center of the sphere. This makes it possible to build concentrated solar power(CSP) plants with fixed solar fields and mobile receivers; that is, solar fields can be significantly cheaper and simpler, but challenging tracking systems for the mobile receiver need to be implemented. The cost-cutting possibilities for this technology have been under-researched. This article describes the MOSAIC concept, which aims to achieve low-cost solar energy by boosting the benefits of spherical reflectors while addressing their challenges. This new concept proposes to build large modular plants from semi-Fresnel solar bowls. One of these modules has been designed and is under construction in Spain. This article reports the main lessons learned during the design phase, describes the advantages and challenges of the concept, details the proposed routes to overcome them, and identifies the steps needed to develop a fully competitive industrial solution.
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spelling doaj.art-e80fe5ec35574291addbc6794ed968a02023-11-19T21:11:33ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732020-04-01137181610.3390/en13071816Low-Cost Solar Electricity Using Stationary Solar Fields; Technology Potential and Practical Implementation Challenges to Be Overcome. Outcomes from H2020 MOSAIC ProjectCristóbal Villasante0Saioa Herrero1Marcelino Sánchez2Iñigo Pagola3Adrian Peña4David Olasolo5Ana Bernardos6Fundacion Tekniker, Polo Tecnológico de Eibar, Calle Iñaki Goenaga 5, 20600 Gipuzkoa, SpainFundacion Tekniker, Polo Tecnológico de Eibar, Calle Iñaki Goenaga 5, 20600 Gipuzkoa, SpainCENER (National Renewable Energy Centre of Spain), Ciudad de la Innovación 7, 31621 Navarra, SpainCENER (National Renewable Energy Centre of Spain), Ciudad de la Innovación 7, 31621 Navarra, SpainCENER (National Renewable Energy Centre of Spain), Ciudad de la Innovación 7, 31621 Navarra, SpainFundacion Tekniker, Polo Tecnológico de Eibar, Calle Iñaki Goenaga 5, 20600 Gipuzkoa, SpainCENER (National Renewable Energy Centre of Spain), Ciudad de la Innovación 7, 31621 Navarra, SpainAt any time of the day, a spherical mirror reflects the rays coming from the sun along a line that points to the sun through the center of the sphere. This makes it possible to build concentrated solar power(CSP) plants with fixed solar fields and mobile receivers; that is, solar fields can be significantly cheaper and simpler, but challenging tracking systems for the mobile receiver need to be implemented. The cost-cutting possibilities for this technology have been under-researched. This article describes the MOSAIC concept, which aims to achieve low-cost solar energy by boosting the benefits of spherical reflectors while addressing their challenges. This new concept proposes to build large modular plants from semi-Fresnel solar bowls. One of these modules has been designed and is under construction in Spain. This article reports the main lessons learned during the design phase, describes the advantages and challenges of the concept, details the proposed routes to overcome them, and identifies the steps needed to develop a fully competitive industrial solution.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/7/1816CSPsolarspherical concentratorFresnelstationary reflectortracking absorber
spellingShingle Cristóbal Villasante
Saioa Herrero
Marcelino Sánchez
Iñigo Pagola
Adrian Peña
David Olasolo
Ana Bernardos
Low-Cost Solar Electricity Using Stationary Solar Fields; Technology Potential and Practical Implementation Challenges to Be Overcome. Outcomes from H2020 MOSAIC Project
Energies
CSP
solar
spherical concentrator
Fresnel
stationary reflector
tracking absorber
title Low-Cost Solar Electricity Using Stationary Solar Fields; Technology Potential and Practical Implementation Challenges to Be Overcome. Outcomes from H2020 MOSAIC Project
title_full Low-Cost Solar Electricity Using Stationary Solar Fields; Technology Potential and Practical Implementation Challenges to Be Overcome. Outcomes from H2020 MOSAIC Project
title_fullStr Low-Cost Solar Electricity Using Stationary Solar Fields; Technology Potential and Practical Implementation Challenges to Be Overcome. Outcomes from H2020 MOSAIC Project
title_full_unstemmed Low-Cost Solar Electricity Using Stationary Solar Fields; Technology Potential and Practical Implementation Challenges to Be Overcome. Outcomes from H2020 MOSAIC Project
title_short Low-Cost Solar Electricity Using Stationary Solar Fields; Technology Potential and Practical Implementation Challenges to Be Overcome. Outcomes from H2020 MOSAIC Project
title_sort low cost solar electricity using stationary solar fields technology potential and practical implementation challenges to be overcome outcomes from h2020 mosaic project
topic CSP
solar
spherical concentrator
Fresnel
stationary reflector
tracking absorber
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/7/1816
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