-- This project is inactive --

Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, under the Baseload CSP FOA, designed and tested several components of a molten salt solar power tower that is in line with SunShot Initiative cost targets.

Approach

Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne began with its baseline solar tower configuration, which is well represented by the System Advisor Model template for a 100-MW solar tower. This mature system-level design is the result of years of study and more than $100 million of technology development, including the Solar Two demonstration plant. After performing concept feasibility studies, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne developed a technology roadmap from the baseline configuration to a system design capable of achieving a levelized cost of energy less than $0.07/kWh with a capacity factor greater than 75% by the year 2020. In the project's final phase, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne performed field validation of the heliostat and its control system, the receiver coating material, thermal energy storage system, and heat exchanger for the sCO₂ cycle.

Innovation

Improvements were made to the receiver, heliostats, thermal storage, power block, and systems integration areas. Key components include:

• A new ceramic nanotube thermal selective coating paint for central receivers to improve absorption, emissivity, and durability
• A low-cost heliostat design that will lead to a reduction in manufacturing costs
• A new thermocline thermal storage concept utilizing a unique internal tank insulation concept that will allow for reduced capital costs
• An advanced supercritical CO2 power cycle that will increase thermal cycle efficiency by 5% and reduce balance of plant capital costs by 25%
• A state-of-the-art closed-loop flux optimization control system and operational maintenance and performance optimization software.

Publications, Patents, and Awards

At this time, this project does not have published articles, patents, or awards.

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