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Solar thermal energy: The forgotten energy source

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  • Shinnar, Reuel
  • Citro, Francesco

Abstract

Solar thermal (ST) energy, using trough solar collectors, can be an environmentally friendly and economically competitive electric source for any part of the world (such as the USA) that includes large desert areas. Competitive ST involves trough solar collectors, which concentrate solar rays onto a flowing liquid able to sustain very high temperatures (⩾800°F) without exerting significant vapor pressure or decomposing. This allows the solar energy to be used to raise steam and drive turbines of electricity-generating plants directly, or to be harvested and stored as sensible heat in large underground ponds. The stored portion of the energy can be used instantaneously to meet variable power needs. This technology has been amply demonstrated by a 354MWe modular plant (consisting of 9 ST units) that has been running in the Mojave Desert for the past 20 years. For intermediate loads (50% of the US electricity requirement) ST energy is already competitive with any new power plant, including old-fashioned coal power plants equipped with scrubbers. ST energy, using trough solar collectors, can become a major technical, financial, and political development.

Suggested Citation

  • Shinnar, Reuel & Citro, Francesco, 2007. "Solar thermal energy: The forgotten energy source," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 29(3), pages 261-270.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:29:y:2007:i:3:p:261-270
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2007.04.001
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Wu, Shuang-Ying & Xiao, Lan & Cao, Yiding & Li, You-Rong, 2010. "A parabolic dish/AMTEC solar thermal power system and its performance evaluation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(2), pages 452-462, February.
    2. Tanveer, Muhammad & Tezcanli Guyer, Gokce, 2013. "Solar assisted photo degradation of wastewater by compound parabolic collectors: Review of design and operational parameters," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 24(C), pages 534-543.
    3. Williges, Keith & Lilliestam, Johan & Patt, Anthony, 2010. "Making concentrated solar power competitive with coal: The costs of a European feed-in tariff," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(6), pages 3089-3097, June.
    4. Dowling, Alexander W. & Zheng, Tian & Zavala, Victor M., 2017. "Economic assessment of concentrated solar power technologies: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 1019-1032.
    5. Jamil, M. & Ahmad, Farzana & Jeon, Y.J., 2016. "Renewable energy technologies adopted by the UAE: Prospects and challenges – A comprehensive overview," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 1181-1194.
    6. Shinnar, Reuel & Citro, Francesco, 2008. "Decarbonization: Achieving near-total energy independence and near-total elimination of greenhouse emissions with available technologies," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 30(1), pages 1-16.

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