Soltrec - Pressurized volumetric solar air receiver technology

During the EU FP7-Solugas project the feasibility of the solar hybrid technology with a pressurized air receiver and a gas turbine was demonstrated. Over the last years the coupling of solar heat to air-Brayton cycles has been identified as a way to accelerate the CSP market penetration competing directly with conventional combined cycle plants. The path to the commercialization of this hybrid CSP product goes through the scaling of the solarized gas turbine capacity and the increase of the receiver outlet temperature. The Soltrec project focuses on the development, manufacturing and testing of a volumetric receiver, capable to raise the maximum temperature of the compressed air up to 1000 degrees C. The concept of volumetric air receivers is the most promising option for getting high efficiencies at these temperature levels, with solar shares of up to 80% at design point operation. Transforming solar radiation into hot pressurized air at these temperatures levels leads to thermal and mechanical stresses that requires an innovate receiver design and the application of new heat resistant materials. With the objective of significantly increasing the solar share and lower the costs and environmental impact of the hybrid plants the pilot Soltrec air receiver has been commissioned at the Abengoa Solar R&D facilities at Sanlucar la Mayor (Seville, Spain). (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.