Aalborg CSP has been awarded a contract to supply the steam generation system for the 50MW Shenzen Jinfan molten salt CSP plant which is a flagship project with its exceptionally long 15-hours energy storage capability and a good example of how European design combined with local manufacturing can secure on-demand and cost-competitive renewable power generation in China.

The 50MW Shenzen Jinfan CSP plant

The 50MW Shenzen Jinfan CSP project is part of China’s five-year plan aiming to change the landscape of large-scale electricity production. In the first batch, China awarded 20 demonstration plants to produce 1GW power at RMB1.15/kWh feed-in-tariffs (FiT) if completed before the end of 2018. To reach low price levels, solar projects with large energy storage capabilities have been announced, among which the 50MW Shenzen Jinfan CSP plant proves to be one of the most efficient ones due to its exceptionally long, 15-hours energy storage capability. This enables the facility to supply power for 24-hours straight in Aksai County.

SGS4 - specifically designed for molten salt CSP plants

Aalborg CSP together with its local manufacturing partner, Livo New Energy Technology have been selected to supply the boiler equipment capable of securing uninterrupted conversion of solar heat to superheated steam at 136 bara and 538°C. The SGS4 steam generation system intended for the Shenzen Jinfan project was specifically designed to meet emerging market expectations for cost-efficient and reliable electricity production when using molten salt - an essential criteria developing markets, such as China, demands to meet low price levels.

Award-winning operational features

With the SGS4 steam generator technology, the Shenzen Jinfan CSP plant will benefit from award-winning operational features, such as natural circulation, leakage-free design, and fast-start-up time. These operational benefits translate into significant savings in terms of component CAPEX and OPEX as the plant will be able to produce more energy compared to an ordinary heat exchanger and reduce the need for certain auxiliary components, such as circulation pumps and different drain valves.

Besides the steam producing equipment, Aalborg CSP’s scope of supply also includes instruments, valves, heat tracing for the pressure vessels and all interconnecting piping. Production has already commenced in China and delivery of components is expected to be completed next summer so the facility can supply renewable power to the grid before the end of 2018.