Concentrating solar thermal power (CSP)

Abstract

CSP plants can take many forms; the constant factor is that they concentrate the sunlight so that higher temperatures can be achieved, suitable for many process heat applications or for powering a heat engine to provide shaft power, e.g., to generate electricity. We will discuss the thermodynamic principles defining the temperature required to run a heat engine efficiently, and then those which determine the concentration required to effectively achieve that temperature. The learning curve, which defines cost decrements as a function of mass production, will be presented and alternative renewable energy technologies will be compared. Then a comparison will be made to fossil fuels, and the effects of fair taxes and clean sky regulations will show that renewables are really the best energy source, even ignoring the fossil fuel shortages, which are now upon us.