Concentrating Power
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) researches and develops a clean, large-scale solar thermal technology known as concentrating solar power (CSP). This research and development (R&D) focuses on three types of CSP technologies: trough systems, dish/engine systems, and power towers. These technologies are used in CSP plants that use different kinds of mirror configurations to convert the sun’s energy into high-temperature heat. The heat energy is then used to generate electricity in a steam generator.
CSP’s relatively low cost and ability to deliver power during periods of peak demand when and where we need it mean that CSP can be a major contributor to the nation’s future needs for distributed sources of energy.
DOE’s Solar Energy Technologies Program works in CSP R&D to provide clean, reliable, affordable solar thermal electricity for the nation. Sunlab is a collaboration of Sandia National Laboratories and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, two of DOE’s premier renewable-energy research facilities. The program’s goal is to ensure that solar thermal technologies like CSP make an important contribution to the world’s growing need for energy.
Solar Dish-Engine System
Solar Thermal Power Plant
