Sandia CSP Group
Performs First On-Sun Testing of Falling Particle Receiver System
In March, Sandia’s concentrating solar power research team
performed a first-of-its-kind on-sun testing of a 1-MWth (megawatt-thermal) continuously
recirculating falling particle receiver system. During the test, which was
performed on-ground at the National
Solar Thermal Test Facility, a single heliostat was used to illuminate
particles falling over discrete porous structures in a cavity receiver at different
particle mass flow rates. Temperatures were recorded to measure
temperature rise and heat loss from the system, and ray-tracing was performed
to compare model predictions of solar flux to measured irradiance values. Comparisons
of the predicted and measured flux distributions at different times of the day
aligned well, and the prototype system performed to expectations.
The next step in on-ground testing will be to aim four
heliostats in the front row of Sandia’s field at the falling particle receiver.
The prototype system will then be lifted to the top of the top of the tower for
additional on-sun testing in May or June. The tests are a collaboration among
Sandia, Georgia Tech, Bucknell University, German aerospace center DLR, and
King Saud University in Saudi Arabia.
Photos: Top left: A professor from Georgia Tech and Sandia's Nate Seigel
watch the heliostat beam fall onto the 25-ft. tall falling particle
receiver at NSTTF. Top right (above Upcoming Events): The falling
particle receiver cavity at NSTTF, with an elliptical beam as reflected
at 2:01 p.m. MT. At solar noon (1:16 p.m. MT on test day), the beam is
nearly circular.
|
Sandia Research
Published in PV Tech Power
Sandia solar research scientists were recently featured in
the second edition of PV Tech Power (free subscription required), a quarterly journal published by
Solar Media Limited (UK). In the feature article, Sandia PV researchers discuss
why monitoring of solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant operation often fails to
identify problems such monitoring should detect. The Sandia team also presents
findings from lab research into more effective monitoring strategies that can
minimize plant energy losses.
Sandian to Highlight
Global Grid Codes at SunSpec Event
Sandia solar researcher Jay Johnson will speak at the SunSpec Alliance’s 2015 Annual Members Meeting
on March 31 in San Francisco. Johnson will be speaking about changing grid
codes around the world. He will also discuss Sandia’s work on the California Solar Initiative Solicitation 4 (CSI4) project, a collaborative effort led by the Electric Power Research Institute. The objective of the work is
to develop and demonstrate advanced inverters with standardized
functionality and an open communication interface that can meet the
interconnection requirements of California Rule 21. Sandia leads the
development of inverter test procedures and implementation of smart inverter
functions for the project.
The SunSpec Alliance is a global trade organization that
pursues open information standards for distributed energy, including those
applying to PV power plants on the smart grid. The event audience represents a
cross-section of the distributed energy industry, including asset owners/fleet
operators, equipment providers, project developers, and financiers.
Sandia Research
Published in Solar Energy Journal
A Sandia research paper, “Predicting the spectral effects of
soils on high concentrating photovoltaic systems,” recently published in Solar
Energy Journal (Volume 112, February 2015, pp. 469-474). The paper
highlights research to predict soiling losses, particularly accumulated
soiling, for high concentrating photovoltaic systems using measured UV/vis
transmittance through soiled films. Sandia researchers and report authors Patrick
Burton, Bruce King, and Dan Riley performed the work.
Sandian Leads
Discussion on O&M Standards at Solar Power Generation USA
Sandia solar researcher Geoff Klise joined the SunSpec
Alliance to lead a discussion at Solar Power Generation USA on February 5,
2015, in San Diego, CA. The objective of the conversation was to identify ways
to streamline process and maximize output using industry-wide standards that
define operations and maintenance (O&M) procedures and provide collective
solutions to fault correction. Focus areas for the discussion included improving
overall prospects for new solar technologies; improving reliability through
standards; creating traceability for solar components to reduce downtime;
enhancing the solar workforce through standards creation; and using greater
reliability to increase safety. Klise also addressed achieving energy security
through a reliability-focused approach for solar photovoltaic system O&M.
Additional Coverage
of DOI Secretary Jewell’s Visit to Sandia
Secretary of the Interior Sally
Jewell joined the U.S. Department of Defense, Senator Martin Heinrich,
and U.S Representative Ben Ray Lujan for a tour of the National
Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF) at Sandia in
early January. During her visit to NSTTF, Jewell announced approval of the SunZia
Southwest Transmission Project. Additional articles about the visit appeared
in the Albuquerque
Journal and Albuquerque
Business First.
-
Precursor Report of Data Needs and Recommended Practices for PV
Plant Availability, Operations and Maintenance Reporting, R. Hill, G.T.
Klise, and John R. Balfour [High Performance PV]
-
A
Performance Model for Photovoltaic Modules with Integrated Microinverters, D.M.
Riley, C.W. Hansen, M. Farr
-
Analysis of 100 SGIP Interconnection Studies, Santiago S.
Sena, Jimmy E. Quiroz, Robert J. Broderick
-
Structural Code Considerations of Solar Rooftop Installations,
S.F. Dwyer, B. Dwyer, A. Sanchez
-
Empirically Derived Strength of Residential Roof Structures for
Solar Installations, S.F. Dwyer, A. Sanchez, I. Campos, W. Gerstle
-
Photovoltaic Microinverter Testbed for Multiple Device
Interoperability, Albuquerque, NM, 2014, J.E. Quiroz, S. Gonzalez, B. King,
D. Riley, J. Johnson, J. Stein
External Link Disclaimer: The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement of the external Web site, the information, products or services contained therein.
|
