16.6MWTH CSP FOR COMBINED HEAT AND POWER GENERATION, DENMARK

21. November 2017

Solution provider

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Aalborg CSP was selected to design and deliver a CSP system to be integrated with a biomass-organic rankine cycle (ORC) plant for combined heat and power generation in Denmark. This is the first large-scale system in the world to demonstrate how CSP with an integrated energy system design can optimize efficiency of ORC even in areas with less sunshine.

FACTS

Client:	Brønderslev Forsyning
End user/Owner:	Brønderslev Forsyning
Location:	Brønderslev, Denmark
Status:	Operational

CSP integrated with a biomass ORC plant for combined heat and power generation

Aalborg CSP in close collaboration with the Danish district heating plant (Brønderslev Forsyning) carried out a comprehensive feasibility study on the potential to use concentrated solar power as an add-on to the biomass-ORC plant. Based on the positive findings, Aalborg CSP was awarded the contract to develop and supply the 16.6 MWt CSP plant enabling production of heat and electricity within one carbon-free system.

Operational philosophy

The CSP plant consists of 40 rows of 125m parabolic trough loops with an aperture area of 26,929m². The parabolic troughs (U-shaped mirrors) collect the suns' rays and reflect them onto a receiver pipe wherein a fluid is heated up to 330°C. This high temperature is able to drive an electric turbine to produce electricity, but the flexibility of the system also allows production of lower temperatures for district heating purposes. To maximize yield of energy, waste heat is utilized and sent to the district heating circuit whereas electrical power is generated at peak price periods.

CSP optimized for the northern European climate

The parabolic troughs are optimized for Nordic climate conditions to reliably produce energy even during average wind speed of 15 m/s. Moreover, the receiver pipe is surrounded by a special glass vacuum tube that has a lower loss of production compared to other constructions. This solution has been tested and verified in a commercial setting in Denmark, where CSP in combination with flat panels today provides hot water generation for district heating purposes.