Annual performance assessment of a 50 MWe commercial solar tower plant with improved open volumetric receiver

Central receiver systems with open volumetric air and packed bed thermal storage are an alternative to the currently deployed salt steam plants. The technology is being tested as a complete system at 1 MWe test demonstration plant Solar Tower Jülich since 2009 shows high robustness availability. Recent developments focused on increasing efficiency. Changing geometry cavity type further structural improvements resulted in efficiency increase above 85%, experiments CFD simulation models show. dynamic flexibility could be enhanced. A commercial reference 50 power level was defined for potential location South Africa. An LCOE analysis based annual performance conducted several design operational alternatives. Under good conditions, results show values below 90 €/MWh single standard unit. Higher levels can reached by multiplying such units, leading cost savings.