Solar Thermal Power Plants: Achievements and Lessons Learned Exemplified by the Ssps Project in Almeria/Spain (Paperback, Softcover Repri)

1 Introduction.- 1.1 Historical Background and Relationship to the IEA.- 1.2 Project Implementation Within the IEA.- 1.3 Specific Objectives.- 2 Description of the SSPS Site.- 2.1 Criteria Leading to Its Choice.- 2.2 Characteristics of the Site.- 2.2.1 Insolation.- 2.2.2 Winds.- 2.2.3 Soiling Factors.- 2.3 PlantLayout.- 3 The Central Receiver System.- 3.1 General Description.- 3.2 Description of CRS Subsystems.- 3.2.1 Heliostat Field.- 3.2.2 Receivers.- 3.2.2.1 Cavity Receiver.- 3.2.2.2 Advanced Sodium Receiver.- 3.2.3 Sodium Heat Transfer System.- 3.2.3.1 Steam Generator.- 3.2.3.2 Sodium Pumps.- 3.2.3.3 Sodium Storage Tanks.- 3.2.3.4 Auxiliary Equipment.- 3.2.4 Power Conversion System.- 3.2.5 Data Acquisition System.- 3.2.6 CRS Process Efficiency.- 3.3 Measurements and Operational Experiences.- 3.3.1 Historical and Geographical Constraints.- 3.3.2 General Operational Experience.- 3.3.3 Performance of the Heliostats.- 3.3.4 Performance of the Receivers.- 3.3.4.1 Theoretical Studies and Simulations.- 3.3.4.2 Experimental Determination of Performance.- 3.3.4.3 Transient Behavior.- 3.3.4.4 Operational Experiences With Receivers.- 3.3.5 Steam Generator.- 3.3.6 Sodium Heat Transfer System.- 3.3.7 Power Conversion System.- 3.3.8 Yearly Production of Electricity.- 4 The Distributed Collector System.- 4.1 General Description.- 4.2 Description of Subsystems.- 4.2.1 ACUREX Single Axis Collectors.- 4.2.2 MAN Double Axis Collectors.- 4.2.3 Heat Transfer System.- 4.2.4 Power Conversion System.- 4.2.5 Data Acquisition System.- 4.2.6 DCS Process Efficiency.- 4.3 Measurements and Operational Experiences.- 4.3.1 Historical Development.- 4.3.2 General Operational Experience.- 4.3.3 Performance of the Collector Fields.- 4.3.3.1 Availability and Outages.- 4.3.3.2 Operational Behavior and Performance of Collectors.- 4.3.4 Performance of the Thermal Storage System.- 4.3.5 Power Conversion System.- 4.3.6 Simulations and Transient Behavior.- 4.3.7 Production of Electricity.- 5 General Aspects.- 5.1 Comparison Between CRS and DCS Power Plants.- 5.2 Economic Assessment.- 5.2.1 Introduction.- 5.2.2 Economic Analysis.- 5.3 Environmental Impact.- 6 Lessons and Guidelines for the Future.- 6.1 Site Selection Criteria.- 6.2 Determination of Solar Multiple.- 6.3 Solar Specific Components.- 6.4 Solar Application of Non Solar Components.- 6.5 Storage Subsystems Optimization.- 6.6 Thermal Inertia and Losses.- 6.7 Operating Strategies.- 6.8 Internal Consumption.- 6.9 Recommendations for Future Efforts.- 6.9.1 Suggestions for Improvements of the CRS.- 6.9.2 Possible Improvements of the DCS.- 6.9.3 The Author's Opinion.- 6.9.4 Future Research and Development Efforts.- Glossaries (Written by J. Weingart).- Solar Thermal Energy Conversion.- Solar Radiation.- Financial Terms.- Notes and References to Glossaries.- References and Literature.- Executive Committee (EC) Members.