Central thermal energy produced up to seven and a half hours after they hid the sun

One of the main disadvantages of using solar energy to produce that can only be used during the day, on sunny days. But with advances in technology of storage systems that is changing. This is demonstrated Andasol-I central one that can continue to produce thermal power at full load, up to seven and a half hours after the sun oculatrse.


Andasol-I in Andalusia, Spain is the second solar power or solar thermal concentration greatest in Europe and in the coming years will grow to form the largest complex of the old continent. Generates 50 megawatts to supply electricity to 15,000 people, cost 300 million euros, its implementation will prevent the emission of 149,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year, with an area equivalent to 70 football fields.

In the operation, the principle is the same as when using an operating microscope for concentrating solar radiation and burn paper. Concentrating solar radiation with these curved mirrors, and the concentrated radiation heats the absorber tube or receiver. Inside the pipe circulates a fluid, which in this case is a synthetic oil, heat the oil is heated and then the heat is transmitted to another fluid, water vapor, which then expands in a turbine to produce electricity. It is a relatively simple operation, although it is technologically difficult to achieve.

A plant of this type could sustain the energy requirements of a population if it also has a backup system, which in fact is present in these plants. The backup system is a conventional natural gas boiler can be used when no solar radiation. This system has several advantages and is very convenient because it ensures the operation of the plant when there are long periods without sunlight, and occasionally produce electricity when there is no sunlight is available or stored energy.