Abstract

Objective:

The main objective of this project is the development of a compact ceramic hybrid receiver, absorbing the solar radiation on the one side and being heated by a burner on the other side. After the production of a prototype and first tests in gas mode, the hybrid receiver will be installed and tested on a Dish/Stirling-system in Spain for qualification tests. The Dish/Stirling-system will be operated in hybrid mode with liquid gas for the period of one year to demonstrate the availability and reliability. In addition to the Qualification tests there will be an economic analysis performed for a Hybrid-Dish/Stirling-system connected with a biogas plant as additional renewable energy source. This analysis will include the evaluation of the biomass potential especially for the agro-technical highly developed region of Almeria (Spain) and the positive influence on the environment. Based on the collected data a complete renewable power plant will be planned.

Description of the work:

All necessary parts of the ceramic hybrid receiver will be designed during the development and manufacturing phases. The main parts are the ceramic receiver itself, the burner which will be integrated in the ceramic form and the surrounding cavity for insulation and protection of the receiver. The receiver will be manufactured within a highly integrated task, which means that all demands from the solar side, the gas fired side, from the SiC-material as well as from the surrounding metal cavity and supporting parts have to be considered. The resulting receiver will be tested in gas fired mode in the laboratory. After successful tests it will be shipped to the Plataforma Solar in Almeria/Spain, where it will be mounted into an existing Dish/Stirling-system. For the solar and the hybrid test operation the system has to get redesigned. The system startup will be followed by a continuous operation during one year under various conditions to demonstrate the technical availability and reliability and for the evaluation of efficiency, energy balance and performance under real solar conditions.

Economic analysis and environmental impacts on the potential use of biomass will be investigated, especially for the agro-technical highly developed region of Almeria. A total renewable Solar/Biogas-power conversion plant will be planned together with the necessary infrastructure for collection, preparation and distribution of the biomass.

Expected Results and Exploitation Plans:

Although Dish/Stirling-systems have demonstrated a high efficiency and reliability for solar electricity generation, high system costs today prevent their introduction into the energy markets. Since the Stirling engine is independent of the heat source, the use of solar and an additional renewable energy source, like biogas produced from farming wastes, could enhance the yearly running time and, therefore, the profitability of these systems. After the successful development of the ceramic receiver, the economic assessment and the qualification test phase, the consortium will be able to plan and erect a full renewable power conversion plant for first demonstration projects.

Contacts

Coordinator

• Rolf Dieter LINDEN / Denaro Irt GMBH & CO. KG GERMANY

Participant

• Juan DEL AGUILA / Caja Rural de Almeria SPAIN
• Dirk SCHEBEN / Plataforma Solar de Almeria GERMANY
• Harald LORSON / SIAMANT GMBH & CO. KG GERMANY
• Antonio CAMBIL JIMENEZ / Sistemas de Calor S.L. SPAIN
• Gerhard SELMAYR / Universitaet Karlsruhe (Technische Hochschule) Engler Bunte Institut