Thermal energy storage is a key component to making concentrated solar power cost-competitive in the market. CSP plants, with TES, have the capability to provide energy consistently without the need of constant sunlight. TES features a high pressure fire resistance, thermal shock resistance, and specific heat capacity. This opens the door to other capabilities such as providing ancillary services, meeting peak demands, and storing for high anticipated demands. All these applications aid in maximizing efficiency and profitability of the plants, making CSP a potentially competitive contender in the energy market.

Technology

• What are the advantages of the different types of concentrating technologies such as parabolic troughs, Fresnel reflectors, dish stirlings, and solar power towers

• What are new or developing technologies that can help to near the theoretical maximum concentration?

• What are the most efficient ways of converting thermal energy to electricity? 

• What are the different advantages of two-tank direct system, two-tank indirect system, and single-tank thermocline system in thermal energy storage? Of different transfer fluids?

Logistics

•  What is the optimal size of solar thermal plants considering economies of scale?

• What is the decision making process when determining the relative sizes of the solar field, power block, and energy storage unit?

• What strategies exist for minimizing construction costs? Operation costs? 

Investment and Development

• As state governments are implementing clean energy quotas, what will make solar thermal power attractive to utilities?
• Where can we look to for investments to advance concentrating  technologies?

• How will competition with photovoltaics affect investments and development of solar thermal?

Speakers: 

US Department of Energy, Joseph W. Stekli, Solar Energy Technology Program

Solar Reserve, Bill Gould, CTO

Meet the Panel 

For further information please contact dorothee.baxmann@agrion.org and

kimberly.shoemaker@agrion.org