Australia has made significant progress in generating solar energy using mirrors, a development that could change the renewable energy landscape. Using solar collectors, concentrated solar thermal technology (CST) uses solar energy to produce heat or electricity.
A breakthrough in Australia: using mirrors to generate solar energy
This process, while simple in theory, is complex in practice: Large mirrors or lenses concentrate sunlight into a narrow area, known as the receiver.
These solar collectors vary in size, design and focusing technique, including parabolic trough systems, solar power towers and parabolic troughs.
The role of the receiver and technological advances
The receiver, located at the focal point of the solar collector, is responsible for absorbing and transforming concentrated sunlight into heat, using heat transfer fluids such as molten salt or high-temperature oil.
A breakthrough was made by Australia’s National Science Agency, CSIRO. They managed to reach the key temperature of 803°C in the receiver for the first timewhich represents a significant opportunity for renewable energy storage.
Innovations and improvements compared to conventional practices
This development involves the use of ceramic particles capable of withstanding temperatures above 1000°C to optimize the CST. These particles simplify the system and reduce energy costs by absorbing and storing solar heat. This is a notable improvement over conventional CST practices that use heat transfer fluids only rated between 400°C and 600°C. The innovation could offer Australia a viable alternative to solar PV, which has its limitations.
CST and PV: Complementary, Non-Competitive
According to Dominic Zaal, director of the Australian Solar Thermal Research Institute, CST does not compete with solar PV. While photovoltaics provides energy when the sun is shining, CST stores solar energy for use when the sun is not shining, for example at night or on cloudy days.
Scale and profitability
Currently, 400 mirrors make up the CSIRO testing system in Newcastle. However, a large-scale system could require more than 10,000 larger mirrors, allowing it to produce electricity on par with a 100 MW coal plant. Furthermore, this renewable heat technology is expected to be cost-effective, with a payback of less than ten years in five years and an even shorter payback period by 2035.
This progress represents an important step towards decarbonising Australia’s heavy industry, demonstrating the country’s commitment and potential to renewable energy.
More information: www.csiro.au
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2023-12-31 10:00:07
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