Solar Tower Power Plant Performance Characteristics

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigates energy generation by large-scale solar tower powerplants. The performance characteristics of a so-called reference plant with a4000 m diameter glass collector roof and a 1500 m high, 160 m diameter towerare determined for a site located in South Africa. The relevant draught andconservation equations are derived, discretized and implemented in a numericalmodel which solves the equations using speci ed meteorological input data anddetermines the power delivered by the plant.The power output of a solar tower power plant over a twenty-four hourperiod is presented. Corresponding temperature distributions in the groundunder the collector are shown. Variations in seasonal generation are evaluatedand the total annual electrical output is determined. The dependency ofthe power output on collector diameter and tower height is illustrated, whileshowing that greater power production can be facilitated by optimizing theroof shape and height. The minor in uence of the tower shadow falling acrossthe collector is evaluated, while the e ect of prevailing winds on the powergenerated is found to be signi cant.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University