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Solar Thermal Power
Tower Technology
Yasser Dib CSP Today USA, Las Vegas
June 28, 2012
Providing Utility-Scale, Reliable,
Clean Energy Generation
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BrightSource Energy designs, develops and deploys
concentrating solar thermal technology to produce
high-value steam for electric power, petroleum and
industrial-process markets worldwide.
Introduction
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An Unmatched Legacy in Solar Thermal
1980’s – 1990’s 2007 2006 2008 2009 2011 2010 2012
Solar Energy Generating Systems (SEGS) in Mohave Desert built by company’s original engineering team
Feb 2009 World’s largest solar deal signed: 1.3GW PPA with Southern California Edison (SCE)
2013
Feb 2012 Selected by Sasol for South African Solar Plant design
Ivanpah: CSP Solar Project of the Year (Solar Power Gen USA)
March 2012 Founding member of CSP Alliance
April 2012 Ivanpah: Energy Project of the Year (USC CMAA Green Symposium)
June 2008 SEDC startup – pilot plant proof of concept
April 2008 Signed 900MW PPA with PG&E
Sept 2007 Application for Certification (AFC) of Ivanpah filed with CEC; deemed “DataAdequate”
Oct 2011 Coalinga project delivered to Chevron
April 2011 $2.2 B Ivanpah Project
financial close
Company founded
Oct 2010 Ivanpah approved
to commence construction – boots on the ground
2013 Ivanpah Commencement of Operations:
Unit 1: Q2 (PG&E) Unit 2: Q3 (SCE) Unit 3: Q4 (PG&E)
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Heliostats Overview
Two flat glass mirrors (2.3m x 3.3m) mounted
on a single pylon equipped with a computer-
controlled drive system
Heliostat individually positioned to optimize annual plant output and
revenue
Dual-axis tracking significantly increases plant output, particularly in
winter months and late afternoon hours of the day
Low-impact design avoids costly extensive land grading and concrete
pads
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Proprietary Optimization Control Software Overview Solar Field Integration and Control System (SFINCS)
Algorithmic software determines the optimal
position of each heliostat accounting for the unique conditions of each project site
The SFINCS control system manages distribution of energy across the solar receiver using
real-time heliostat-aiming and closed-loop feedback
On-site weather systems, and visual and infrared cameras provide real-time feedback into advanced
algorithms for solar field management
Proprietary optimization and control software maximizes project performance and power
production efficiencies
Infrared Camera System
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Solar Field Optimization
Field layout simulation calculates optimal heliostat
positioning to minimize shading, and maximize
heat concentration on solar receiver
Coordinated field of heliostats enables system to achieve industry-leading
steam temperature and pressure levels
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Solar Receiver Overview
Solar Receiver Steam
Generator (SRSG)
SRSG
Infrared Image
SBMS Temperature
Measurement
Solar Receiver
Superheater
Utility-scale “inside out” boiler heated by reflected
solar radiation
Proprietary coatings for maximum solar energy
absorption
Matches steam output to load demand
Camera and sensors transmit real-time heat levels
to heliostat control system
Flexibility to respond rapidly to cloud cover &
weather changes
SOLAR RECEIVER STEAM GENERATOR (SRSG) SOLAR BOILER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (SBMS)
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Power Block: Turbine Overview
System produces steam to match high-efficiency turbines
Leverages conventional turbine to deliver power with the reliability and power quality
characteristics required by utilities and grid operators
High temperature and pressure steam (565°C and 160 Bar) take advantage of state-
of-the-art turbine efficiencies
Future efficiency gains driven by technology roadmap
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Power tower: A cost-effective
dry-cooling plant
Greater power production offsets
additional cost per unit electricity
Ability to produce higher temperature
steam results in smaller efficiency loss
By producing and selling more
electricity, dry-cooling is an
economically viable choice
Power Block: Air Cooled Condenser Overview
Key design parameters:
Water Use: dry-cooling, conservation
and closed-loop recycling – Uses air instead of water to condense
steam
– Dry-cooling requires 90% less water
than competing wet-cooled or hybrid
systems
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Industry-Leading Technology Roadmap
Increased size drives power block cost effectiveness
High temperature and increased pressure drive turbine efficiency and lower costs
Additional capacity and storage yield higher efficiency and increased asset utilization
MW
BAR °C
HRS %
TODAY NEAR TERM LONGER TERM
IVANPAH POST-IVANPAH UNDER DEVELOPMENT
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Solar Field
- Wireless communication and control
- Mirror reflectivity, cleaning and anti-fouling
- Heliostat control and accuracy
- Improved measurement devices (flux, tracking)
- Real-time attenuation measurement and cloud coverage
- Weather forecasting, day ahead, hours and immediate
Receiver
- Advanced “selective” coatings
- Alternative heat transfer fluids
- Secondary reflectors
Supercritical steam conditions and turbine efficiencies
High Efficiency Storage Integration
CSP Technology: Areas of Focus
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1. Solar Boost for supplemental
production
2. Solar Add-On for extended
production
3. ISCC-Complete Hybridization
Integrated Solar Combined Cycle (ISCC)
utilizing Alstom’s multiple chamber firing
Highest efficiency
Lowest emissions and fuel
consumption
Greatest operational flexibility
Solar Hybrid Applications Fossil Baseload Power Plants
Solar hybridization allows fossil baseload power plants to reduce fossil fuel
consumption, air pollutants and other regulated emissions.
We offer three unique solar thermal hybrid power plant
configurations for customer specific applications:
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BrightSource Solar Plant With Thermal Energy Storage
Extends electricity production into later parts of the day and after sundown,
when valued most by utilities
Reduces the cost of renewable power: - Increases a plant’s capacity factor / higher asset utilization
- Offers higher efficiencies than competing solar thermal power plants
Provides utilities with greater operational flexibility to shape production to account
for variable production of other intermittent resources
Offers utilities and grid operators additional operational and market value: - Balancing and shaping capabilities
- Ancillary services to support a reliable grid
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Proprietary technology produces high-value steam for power,
petroleum and industrial process markets worldwide
Project development proven at commercial scale
Technology roadmap with visibility into significant cost reductions
Thoughtful sighting and low-impact development design
Conclusion