DOE funds solar-power development

The technology comprises a heliostat field of movable mirrors oriented according to the position of the sun to reflect solar radiation, which is then concentrated onto a receptor located on the upper part of the tower. The heat generated is then transferred to a salt fluid, which is used to create steam that drives a turbine.

The new tower system that the company is developing with the DOE grant will operate at higher temperatures than its existing system, allowing it to produce more energy from the same size power plant. It will also incorporate a thermal storage system to allow it to operate for periods when the sun isn’t shining.

Abengoa is currently the only company with a full-scale operational power tower. Last September, the company unveiled its PS20 20MW solar plant, the largest commercial solar tower plant in the world, located in Sanlúcar la Mayor, Seville.

That system forms part of a number of solar-power systems under construction in that region of Spain, including towers, solar troughs, photovoltaic panels and Stirling technology-based dishes. When completed in 2013, the total output from all the systems will be 300MW.