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DOE OSTI2025

Deployment Potential of Concentrating Solar Power Technologies in California

As states within the United States respond to future grid development goals, there is a growing demand for reliable and resilient nighttime generation that can be addressed by low-cost, long-duration energy storage solutions. This report studies the potential of including concentrating solar power (CSP) in the technology mix to support California’s goals as defined in Senate Bill 100. A joint agency report study that determined potential pathways to achieve the renewable portfolio standard set by the bill did not include CSP, and our work provides information that could be used as a follow-up. This study uses a capacity expansion model configured to have nodal spatial fidelity in California and balancing-area fidelity in the Western Interconnection outside of California. The authors discovered that by applying current technology cost projections CSP fulfills nearly 15% of the annual load while representing just 6% of total installed capacity in 2045, replacing approximately 30 GWe of wind, solar PV, and standalone batteries compared to a scenario without CSP included. The deployment of CSP in the results is sensitive to the technology’s cost, which highlights the importance of meeting cost targets in 2030 and beyond to enable the technology’s potential contribution to California’s carbon reduction goals.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2024

Integration of Concentrating Solar Power with High Temperature Electrolysis for Hydrogen Production: Preprint

Hydrogen (H2) has been identified as a leading sustainable contender to replace fossil fuels in transportation and electricity generation. H2 production can be achieved by concentrating solar thermal power (CSP) systems collecting thermal energy from the sun to various chemical processes for fuel production. Fuel production via solar thermal chemical processes integrated with CSP uses the full spectrum of sunlight compared with photovoltaic power conversion and stores solar energy directly and efficiently [1]. The solar fuel production can be realized by thermochemical processes (e.g., water splitting for H2 production, carbon dioxide reduction, or methane reforming) or thermal electrochemical methods (e.g., integration with solid oxide electrolysis cell). Technology development for CSP-integrated solar fuel production requires broad technological bases from solar energy collection to chemical energy conversion. H2 generated from renewable sources can be an energy carrier for a carbon-free economy. Integrating CSP with high temperature electrolysis (HTE) using solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOEC) provides a renewable path for H2 generation. The CSP-HTE integration approach provides the benefit of thermal energy storage (TES) for continuous operation, improved capacity, and SOEC life. H2 gas has low energy density for transportation, pipeline networks are expensive, and H2 liquefaction is energy intensive. However, an alternative method for H2 distribution is to use carbon dioxide (CO2) capture and liquid hydrocarbon synthesis to convert solar energy into liquid fuels that are compatible with the existing fossil fuel infrastructure.

concentrating solar thermal power↗

DOE OSTI2026

Guideline for Characterizing and Evaluating a Candidate Project Site for Solar Thermal Applications

This document presents a structured procedure for characterizing and evaluating candidate project sites for concentrating solar power (CSP) and solar heat for industrial processes (SHIP) applications. The objective is to provide project developers, researchers, and other stakeholders with a consistent, technology-agnostic framework for early-stage site assessment, enabling informed decision-making prior to significant investment in project development. Site selection is a critical factor in project success or failure for both CSP and SHIP projects. Key factors such as solar resource availability, land characteristics, environmental and regulatory constraints, infrastructure availability, and community context are determined by the choice of project site and can materially impact project performance, cost, schedule, and overall viability. This procedure is designed to systematically evaluate these factors, identify potential fatal flaws, and prioritize the most favorable candidate sites for further development. The process begins with rapid screening-level evaluation, using publicly available data to assess solar resource, land availability and suitability, zoning and land-use compatibility, and exclusion zones such as protected lands or sensitive habitats. Sites that meet the minimum screening criteria advance to a more detailed characterization. Subsequent sections of this report provide guidance for a next-level assessment of the most important technical and environmental parameters, including: 1) Solar resource quality, variability, and uncertainty using multiyear datasets and, where appropriate, on-site measurement campaigns; 2) Meteorological conditions such as wind, temperature, extreme weather events, and soiling impacts; 3) Land characteristics including slope, shading, and geotechnical conditions; and 4) Environmental and regulatory considerations, including permitting processes, endangered species, cultural resources, and visual impacts. The procedure also addresses infrastructure and integration considerations, including: 1) Grid interconnection requirements for CSP power generation projects; 2) Electrical and operational integration for SHIP facilities; 3) Water availability, quality, and permitting constraints, which are particularly critical for CSP in arid regions; and 4) Site access, construction logistics, and availability of workforce and supporting services. Recognizing the importance of social and economic context, the procedure includes evaluation of community engagement factors, such as stakeholder sentiment, proximity to sensitive visual receptors, workforce development opportunities, and local economic incentives. The outputs of these assessments are synthesized in a cost and risk evaluation, translating site characteristics into expected impacts on capital cost, operating cost, schedule, and technical risk. This is complemented by screening-level performance modeling, including 8760 simulations and long-term projections, to quantify expected energy or thermal output, assess variability thereof, and support comparison between candidate sites. Finally, the procedure provides high-level guidance on a structured go/no-go decision framework, categorizing sites based on identified risks and constraints, and outlining a clear path forward to feasibility studies and front-end engineering design for viable projects. By standardizing the site characterization process across both CSP and SHIP applications, this guideline aims to: 1) Improve consistency and transparency in early-stage project evaluation; 2) Reduce development risk and avoid investment in nonviable project sites; 3) Support collaboration between developers, researchers, and public agencies; and 4) Accelerate successful deployment of concentrating solar technologies for both power generation and industrial process heat.

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NASA NTRS1987

Observations and consequences of nonuniform aluminum concentrations in the channel regions of AlGaAs channeled-substrate-planar lasers

Compositional changes in the n-clad layer within the channel region of channel substrate planar (CSP) type semiconductor lasers have been observed. As a consequece, a large optical cavity (LOC) or an enhanced substrate loss (ESL) version of the CSP geometry may result, both of which may have significantly different characteristics from those of a conventional CSP laser. The CSP-LOC generally has a larger near-field spot size, while the ESL-CSP is characterized by an off-axis, asymmetric far-field pattern.

Evans, Gary A.↗

DOE OSTI2012

Life Cycle Environmental Impacts Resulting from the Manufacture of the Heliostat Field for a Reference Power Tower Design in the United States: Preprint

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is recognized as a useful analytical approach for quantifying environmental impacts of renewable energy technologies, including concentrating solar power (CSP). An LCA accounts for impacts from all stages in the development, operation, and decommissioning of a CSP plant, including such upstream stages as the extraction of raw materials used in system components, manufacturing of those components, and construction of the plant. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory is conducting a series of LCA studies for various CSP technologies. This paper contributes to a thorough LCA of a 100 MWnet molten salt power tower CSP plant by estimating the environmental impacts resulting from the manufacture of heliostats. Three life cycle metrics are evaluated: greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, and cumulative energy demand. The heliostat under consideration (the 148 m2 Advanced Thermal Systems heliostat) emits 5,300 kg CO2eq, consumes 274 m3 of water, and requires 159,000 MJeq during its manufacture. Future work will incorporate the results from this study into the LCA model used to estimate the life cycle impacts of the entire 100 MWnet power tower CSP plant.

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DOE OSTI2013

An Analysis of Concentrating Solar Power with Thermal Energy Storage in a California 33% Renewable Scenario (Report Summary) (Presentation)

This analysis evaluates CSP with TES in a scenario where California derives 33% of its electricity from renewable energy sources. It uses a commercial grid simulation tool to examine the avoided operational and capacity costs associated with CSP and compares this value to PV and a baseload generation with constant output. Overall, the analysis demonstrates several properties of dispatchable CSP, including the flexibility to generate during periods of high value and avoid generation during periods of lower value. Of note in this analysis is the fact that significant amount of operational value is derived from the provision of reserves in the case where CSP is allowed to provide these services. This analysis also indicates that the 'optimal' configuration of CSP could vary as a function of renewable penetration, and each configuration will need to be evaluated in terms of its ability to provide dispatchable energy, reserves, and firm capacity. The model can be used to investigate additional scenarios involving alternative technology options and generation mixes, applying these scenarios within California or in other regions of interest.

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DOE OSTI2014

Estimating the Value of Utility-Scale Solar Technologies in California Under a 40% Renewable Portfolio Standard (Report Summary) (Presentation)

Concentrating solar power with thermal energy storage (CSP-TES) is a unique source of solar energy in that its output can be shifted over time. The ability of CSP-TES to be a flexible source of generation may be particularly valuable in regions with high overall penetration of solar energy, such as the state of California. California's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requires the state to increase generation from eligible renewable energy resources to reach 33% of retail electricity sales by 2020. Beyond 2020, California targets a further reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. To help reach this goal, current California governor Jerry Brown has stated that a higher 40% RPS might be reachable in the near term. The levelized cost of energy is generally emphasized when assessing the economic viability of renewable energy systems implemented to achieve the RPS. However, the operational and capacity benefits of such systems are often ignored, which can lead to incorrect economic comparisons between CSP-TES and variable renewable generation technologies such as solar photovoltaics (PV). Here we evaluate a 40% RPS scenario in a California grid model with PV or CSP-TES providing the last 1% of RPS energy. We compare the technical and economic implications of integrating either solar technology under several sensitivities, finding that the ability to displace new conventional thermal generation capacity may be the largest source of value of CSP-TES compared to PV at high solar penetrations.

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DOE OSTI2015

Concentrating Solar Power Fact Sheet

This fact sheet is an overview of the Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) subprogram at the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative. CSP is a dispatchable, renewable energy option that uses mirrors to focus and concentrate sunlight onto a receiver, from which a heat transfer fluid carries the intense thermal energy to a power block to generate electricity. CSP systems can store solar energy to be used when the sun is not shining. It will help meet the nation’s goal of making solar energy fully cost-competitive with other energy sources by the end of the decade. Worldwide, CSP activity is rapidly scaling, with approximately 10 gigawatts (GW) in various stages of operation or development. In the United States alone, nearly 2 GW of CSP are in operation.

Concentrating Solar Power Fact Sheet↗

DOE OSTI2023

High-Strength, High-Ductility, High Entropy Alloys with High-Efficiency Native Oxide Solar Absorbers for Concentrating Solar Power Systems

This EPSCoR Project has been investigating the synergy between the excellent high-temperature mechanical behavior of FeMnNiAlCr high entropy alloys (HEA) and the high solar absorptance of their native oxides for high efficiency concentrated solar thermal power (CSP) systems working at >700°C. While HEAs have attracted substantial interest in recent years, most investigations have focused on their applications as structural materials rather than functional materials. This EPSCoR project discovered that FeMnNiAlCr HEAs can potentially be applied synergistically as both a structural and functional material for high-efficiency concentrating solar thermal power (CSP) systems working at >700°C. The HEA itself would be used in high-temperature tubing to carry molten salts or supercritical CO 2 , while its surface oxide would act as a high-efficiency solar thermal absorber. With Fe and Mn being the major components in these HEAs (adding up to ~70 at.% of the alloy), these materials are much more cost-effective than the Ni-based superalloys currently being investigated for high-temperature CSP systems. Through this research, these Fe-Mn based HEAs have demonstrated yield strengths 2-3x greater than that of stainless steel at 700°C and a creep lifetime >800 h at 700ºC under a typical CSP tubing mechanical load of 35 MPa. Their Mn-rich surface oxides maintain a high optical-to-thermal conversion efficiency of ~87% under 1000x solar concentration ratio for 20 simulated day-night thermal cycles between 750ºC and room temperature. In preliminary corrosion studies, these HEAs have sustained immersion in unpurified bromide molten salts for 14 days at 750°C with <2% weight loss, in contrast to 70% weight loss from a 316 stainless steel reference. The simultaneous achievement of promising mechanical, optical, and thermochemical properties in this FeMnNiAlCr system opens the door to new applications of HEAs in solar energy harvesting. Partnerships with Ames Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) also advanced our understanding of the fundamental structure-property relationships through atomic scale material characterization and first-principles computational modeling. The key research results in this project can potentially be extended to other HEAs and their native oxides. In terms of applications, the proposed FeMnNiAlCr HEA/native oxide system could potentially exceed the mechanical and the optical performance of existing tubing and solar coating materials under EERE’s CSP program at lower cost, which also aligns well with the EPSCoR Science and Technology strategies of New Hampshire in boosting the deployment of renewable energy.

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DOE OSTI2020

A Cost-Performance Analysis of a Sodium Heat Engine for Distributed Concentrating Solar Power

We present that a sodium thermal electrochemical converter (Na-TEC) generates electricity directly from heat through isothermal expansion of sodium ions across a beta"-alumina solid-electrolyte. This heat engine has been considered for use with conventional concentrating solar power (CSP) systems before. However, unlike previous single-stage devices, the improved design uses two stages with an interstage reheat, allowing more economical and efficient conversion up to 29% at a hot side temperature of 850 °C. Herein, a cost-performance analysis for this improved design assesses opportunities for distributed-CSP in the context of micro-combined heat and power systems. A high-level techno-economic analysis (TEA) is presented that explores four scenarios where a Na-TEC is used as the heat engine for a distributed-CSP system. Overnight capital cost and levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) are estimated for a system lifetime of 30 years, revealing that overnight capital costs in a range from $3.57 to $17.71 per W e are feasible, which equate to LCOEs from 6.9 to 17.2 cents kWh e -1 . This analysis makes a significant contribution by concurrently quantifying the efficiency and unit costs for a range of multistage configurations, and demonstrating that a Na-TEC may be a promising alternative to Stirling engines for distributed-CSP systems at residential scale of 1–5 kW e .

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DOE OSTI2024

Development of Ti 3 SiC 2 MAX phase tubular structures for solar receiver applications

Solar receiver tubes are key components of concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP) systems that harvest solar energy. For better efficiency, the Gen3 CSP receivers, which collect heat into a heat transfer fluid, require a temperature exceeding 700 °C during operation and need to perform under extreme conditions of high temperature and high thermal stress. Operators are seeking CSP designs using new high-temperature structural materials with high thermal conductivity and high creep resistance to achieve a design life of 30 years and thus help recover the plant capital cost sooner. MAX phase materials, which consist of an early transition metal element, an A-group element, and carbon or nitrogen, are expected to exhibit high creep resistance as well as high fracture toughness. Here, in this paper, we describe fabricating both (1) dense Ti 3 SiC 2 MAX phase disks and (2) short-length tubes using field-assisted sintering technology (FAST). First, the disk samples that we fabricated are fully dense and contain ≈90 % Ti 3 SiC 2 MAX phase materials and ≈10 % TiC phase materials. We determined a flexure strength of 519 ± 32 MPa by conducting a four-point bending test at room temperature with rectangular bar samples of ≈100 % density. The thermal conductivity of the Ti 3 SiC 2 MAX phase samples, measured by light flashing analysis, decreases linearly from a value of 41 W . m -1 . K -1 at room temperature to a value of 36 W . m -1 . K -1 at 650 °C. A solar reflectance measurement of the Ti 3 SiC 2 MAX phase revealed that, temperature increases from 400 to 1400 °C, thermal emittance increases from 0.39 to 0.49, while selectivity decreases from 1.8 to 1.4, respectively. Whereas the surface oxidized MAX phase samples after 100 h exposure to air at 1000 °C exhibit that of SiC. Next, we discuss fabrication of the crack-free Ti 3 SiC 2 MAX phase tubular structures accomplished by using FAST processing in graphite bedding. A Ti 3 SiC 2 MAX phase content of > 95 % with traceable ≈3% remaining TiC phase and ≈15 % porosity were demonstrated after high-temperature annealing. An average fracture strength of ≈250 MPa was determined with Ti 3 SiC 2 MAX phase tubes of ≈85 % density by diametral compression testing at room temperature. Our work demonstrated that using FAST processing to produce Ti 3 SiC 2 MAX phase tubular structures for CSP receiver applications is a viable approach.

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DOE OSTI2017

Review and Future Perspective of Central Receiver Design and Performance

Concentrating solar power (CSP) technology provides a commercial solar option to the utility-scale electricity market. CSP is unique in its ability to include low-cost thermal storage; thus, it can generate electricity when the sun is not available and dispatch electricity to meet varying load requirements. Within the suite of CSP technologies, the central receiver design represents the state-of-the-art technology, promising low cost, high performance, and dispatchable energy production. Current total capacity of central receiver plants worldwide is about 1.0 gigawatt (electric) with operating plants in Spain and the United States, as well as projects under construction in Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. Central receiver technology has been under development since the 1950s, and a variety of central receiver designs have been explored. A distinguishing feature is the heat transfer medium. Central receiver designs exist that use dense fluids, gases, and solid particles in this role. Water/steam and molten salt receivers have been adopted in current commercial plants and are often coupled with a steam-Rankine power cycle with an operating temperature of less than 600 degrees C. Many new central receiver concepts, such as the volumetric air, supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2), solid particle, and liquid-metal receiver designs, are under active research and development (R&D). New designs target operating temperatures generally higher than 700 degrees C-800 degrees C -- and even above 1000 degrees C -- so that higher-performance power cycles such as the sCO2-Brayton cycle or air-Brayton/steam-Rankine combined cycle can be used to promote greater overall system efficiency. Central receiver thermal storage provides dispatchability unavailable from variable-output renewables such as solar photovoltaic and wind power. Case study analysis of the California grid shows that there is a limit on the amount of non-dispatchable renewable generation that the grid can accommodate, beyond which overgeneration, spillage, and instability may occur. Energy storage may well become a necessity in some areas in order to maintain reliability. Next-generation central receiver technologies will have higher operating temperatures and additional features that allow higher-efficiency power generation and deliver other cost-performance advantages. The underlying innovations will come from areas such as multi-physics modeling, high-temperature materials, novel power cycles and heat exchanger designs, and collector field sensing and performance monitoring technologies. Technology innovation is expected to improve the cost and performance of central receiver designs. To deliver value as a generation and storage option, central receiver technology must also be supported by flexible and robust financial models and comprehensive energy and ancillary service markets justifying the capital-intensive investment. Progress in these areas will position CSP central receiver technology for future deployment.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2012

Potential Role of Concentrating Solar Power in Enabling High Renewables Scenarios in the United States

Concentrating solar power (CSP), when deployed with thermal energy storage, provides a dispatchable source of renewable energy. Large-scale deployment of CSP faces a number of challenges—areas with the best direct normal solar resources are often in remote locations, and CSP faces increasing competition from solar photovoltaics (PV), which has fewer siting restrictions and is currently projected to have a lower overall levelized cost of electricity. However, system planners must consider a variety of elements when developing the mix of generators that must reliably meet load. The dispatchability of CSP adds a potentially important complement to variable renewable generation sources such as wind and solar PV.

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DOE OSTI2018

Executive Summary: Concentrating Solar Power Impact on Grid Reliability

This study examines the impact of concentrating solar power (CSP) on grid reliability by investigating the dynamic behavior of the Western Interconnection under conditions of high solar and wind generation. Reliability in this case refers to the somewhat narrow context of stability: transient stability and frequency response; and control stability, especially that associated with weak grids. The objectives of this study were to identify renewable energy penetration levels and mixes, severe disturbances, and load conditions where grid performance and reliability could be enhanced with CSP plants. Instantaneous penetrations of wind and solar - both photovoltaics (PV) and CSP - up to approximately 60% were considered. The focus is on situations in the Western Interconnection bulk power system during which variable renewable generation has displaced other (non-CSP) synchronous thermal generation under highly stressed, weak system conditions. Particular attention was given to impacts of frequency-responsive controls and synchronous generation characteristics.

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DOE OSTI2018

Concentrating Solar Power Impact on Grid Reliability

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DOE OSTI2023

FY19-FY21 Concentrating Solar Power Systems Analysis Final Report

This technical report summarizes work done by NREL over a 3-year period for the Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) Systems Analysis project for fiscal years 2019-2021 (FY19-FY21) in support of the Solar Energies Technology Office of the U.S. Department of Energy. The goal of the CSP Systems Analysis project is to provide timely and accurate CSP cost data to the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) and to project the performance and cost of emerging CSP technologies to inform research directions and industry investment.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2024

Stress Relaxation Cracking of Alloys at Temperatures Higher Than 540°C

Type 347H stainless steel (347H SS), used in commercial concentrating solar power (CSP) thermal energy storage to store solar-salt at a temperature of 565°C, has been reported in the literature to be susceptible to stress-relaxation cracking (SRC). The welded heat-affected zone (HAZ) and fusion zone (FZ) of 347H SS, particularly in thick sections, are known to be susceptible to failure during post-weld heat treatment (reheat cracking). SRC could also occur after months or years under an elevated-temperature service environment. Two conditions must be present for failure to occur in the HAZ and/or FZ: 1) a modified or sensitized microstructure and 2) sufficiently high tensile residual stresses present at the elevated service temperature. The overarching goal of this project is to recommend SRC mitigation protocols to avoid susceptibility to fail through SRC at temperatures relevant for CSP. Post weld heat treatment conditions and alternative alloys are investigated as potential mitigation solutions to SRC. We used Gleeble thermomechanical simulation tests and finite element (FE) models to understand the susceptibility of 347H SS to SRC as a function of temperature, stress, and microstructure. We started with a literature review of weldability issues with 347H SS and techniques to mitigate SRC in 347H SS weldments. Next, we used Gleeble experiments to determine reheat cracking susceptibility in the simulated HAZ of 347SS weldments and an alternative alloy, 316L SS (NUCL 167 SPH) with boron added. We also performed Gleeble experiments to compare the reheat cracking susceptibility of 347H cross welded with two different fillers: E347, which is used in some commercial CSP TES tanks, and E16.8.2. We validated the experimental results with FE models of the residual stresses. We found that although the 316L (NUCL 167 SPH) is less susceptible to reheat cracking, it is slightly weaker than 347H and ASME BP&V codes limit its use to a service condition of 565°C. We also found that welds using E16.8.2 as the weld filler are less susceptible to failure than those using E347, likely due to the higher creep ductility of E16.8.2, and that it may be used as an alternative filler for repair welding of 347H welds or as the primary choice of filler for newly developed weld joints. We also found that post weld heat treatment could be a viable solution for mitigating stress in E347-347H SS thick, constrained welds, like those found in CSP tanks, and propose several options for mitigating SRC in existing and future TES tanks.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2024

Polarimetry-Enhanced Imaging towards Autonomous Solar Field and Receiver Inspections

During the typical operation of a Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) plant, a large portion of the energy (~45%) can be lost due to various imperfect conditions, such as blocking, shading, mirror soiling, tracking and canting errors, etc. It is necessary to develop efficient and effective field inspection technology to optically survey and characterize a CSP field, which can be used as an input for autonomous control, maintenance scheduling and spot repair whenever necessary to maximize the overall efficiency of the plant. In this project, We aim to apply polarimetric imaging for CSP collector and receiver inspection and develop polarimetric drone cameras (via integrating polarimetric imagers onto drones) for autonomous field inspection in CSP plants.

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