Toward Sustainable Energy Systems? (1/4)

Solar Thermal Power Plants. On the verge to Commercialization

Today several concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies are at the phase of a first commercial deployment for bulk power production in Europe. The present costs of electricity produced by these plants have to be decreased by a factor of 3-5 in order to compete with electricity from fossil power plants without any subsidy. Beside continuous implementation of CSP power plants in Europe, which stipulate cost reduction by mass production effects, further R&D activities are necessary to achieve the cost competitiveness. We will survey the status of the technology for CSP and identify essential R&D needs to reduce the cost of electricity.

About the speaker:

Mr. Félix Téllez is the Head of High Solar Concentration Technologies Group of CIEMAT's Plataforma Solar de Almería ( www.psa.es )