Solar Energy Generating Systems I & II

USA / California / Barstow /
 thermal power station, concentrated solar power
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Solar Energy Generating Systems (SEGS) is the largest solar energy generating facility in the world. It consists of nine solar power plants in California's Mojave Desert, where insolation is among the best available in the United States. SEGS III–VII (150 MW) are located at Kramer Junction, SEGS VIII–IX (160 MW) at Harper Lake, and SEGS I–II (44 MW) at Daggett respectively. NextEra Energy Resources operates and partially owns the plants located at Kramer Junction and Harper Lake.

The installation uses parabolic trough solar thermal technology along with natural gas to generate electricity. 90% of the electricity is produced by the sunlight. Natural gas is only used when the solar power is insufficient to meet the demand from Southern California Edison, the distributor of power in southern California.

The parabolic mirrors are shaped like a half-pipe. The sun shines onto the panels made of glass, which are 94% reflective, unlike a typical mirror, which is only 70% reflective. The mirrors automatically track the sun throughout the day. The greatest source of mirror breakage is wind, with 3000 typically replaced each year. Operators can turn the mirrors to protect them during intense wind storms. An automated washing mechanism is used to periodically clean the parabolic reflective panels.

The sunlight bounces off the mirrors and is directed to a central tube filled with synthetic oil, which heats to over 400 °C (750 °F). The reflected light focused at the central tube is 71 to 80 times more intense than the ordinary sunlight. The synthetic oil transfers its heat to water, which boils and drives the Rankine cycle steam turbine, thereby generating electricity. Synthetic oil is used to carry the heat (instead of water) to keep the pressure within manageable parameters.
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Energy_Generating_Systems
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Coordinates:   34°51'51"N   116°49'39"W

Comments

  • This is a parabolic trough solar power plant, not a tower. The landmark for solar two is (almost) identical with the one of solar two
This article was last modified 8 years ago