‘US 2014020252241 us United States cz) Patent Application Publication — co) Pub. No.: US 2014/0202522 A1 Nunez Bootello et al. (43) Pub. Dat Jul. 24, 2014 oy ication Classification (1) Ince MOL 31782 (2006.01) (75) Inveators: Juan Pablo Nunez Bootello, Sevilla 7036606 Goos.o1) (ES): Manucl Gallas Torreira, Sevilla (52) U.S.C Es) cP HOLL. 31982 (2013.01); FOG 606 (201301) usec 1360246; 601641.15 (73) Assignee: ABENGOA SOLAR NE} a peetncr TECHNOLO ‘A, Sevilla (ES) Asolarplant enabling transformation of solar energy exploit- Jing most of the solar spectrum with very efficient yields, including: at lost one solar collector including a concentra. ‘or. configured ocollect andl concentrate solar ration nthe (22) PCT Filed: Jun.28, 2012 concentrator; a solar laser device to transform radiation received from the concentrators int laser aiation;a receiver ‘andlor a sala reactor configutedto receive radiation fom the Taser device and transform it into another form of enerey’and can include exible ightguides or plane mirrors to transport (21) Appl.No: 430,591 (86) PCT No $371 M0), (2),(4) Date: Feb, 26, 2014 theradition received fom the laser device to the solarreaclor fandior ecviver, and photovollac cells interspersed among G0) Foreign Application Priority Data the collectors aa laser deviees 1 transform the concentrated radiation int electricity and allow radiation no transformed Hu.5,2011 (ES) 201131142 to pass othe laser devicesPatent Application Publication Jul. 24, 2014 Sheet 1 of 4 US 2014/0202522 AI FIG. 1aPatent Application Publication Jul. 24, 2014 Sheet 2 of 4 US 2014/0202522 AI FIG. 2 FIG. 3 4US 2014/0202522 AI Jul. 24,2014 Sheet 3 of 4 Patent Application PublicationPatent Application Publication Jul. 24, 2014 Sheet 4 of 4 US 2014/0202522 AI FIG. 6US 2014/0202522 AI SOLAR PLANT PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION 10001} ‘The present invention may be inluded within the field of salar technology. The purpose ofthe invention per- tains © asolar plant which enables the wansformation larger portion of incoming solar radiation spectrum ito clettical oF ‘thermal eneryy. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10002} ‘The exploitation of solar energy poses a number of ‘challenges. One of them is the capture and concentration of that solar energy, an issue that is widely researched, dovel- ‘oped and applied today In this respect, the challenge of sola plants is: © maximise the C/C,,., ratio of concentrator col- Tectors (where C isthe eoncenivaton and C,,.l/sine Gall acceptance) is the theoretical maximum concentration), minimise geometric losses—cosine effect, shadows and blockages among trickers—, optical snd heat Iosses, and t0 Jove the plant costs at levels that make the technology eom- Pattive in relation to other eneruy sources. Importantly, ‘maximising concentration allows us t reduce heat loss the plant, redues the eost of receiving devices (‘ypically sola thermal or photovoltaic) and/or increase the typical working temperatures ofthe heat transfer ids or reactors for ohtain- ing solar fuels 10003] Another major challenge is the wansformation of Solar energy into electrical energy. Currently thee are Wo ‘main commercial avenues: 10004] 1 Photovoltaic technology: involves converting Solar electromagnetic radiation directly into. eleceicity through semiconductor materials using photovoltaic eels. It js-a constantly evolving technology that has the potential 10 improve sulliciently so as to suns the efficiency of sola thermal power plants, thanks tothe fature use of advance materials. However, has the disadvantage of being waman- ageable, and a wavelength range exists above which photo- ‘ollie cells are not eapable of converting all the energy from photons into electrical energy, and below which te excess of ‘energy transported by the photon is lost as heat. [0005] 2—Solae thermal technology involves heating @ heat transfer lui and generating electricity ina turbine via & Rankine eyele, Brayton eyele, String engine or others, or ‘else causing reaction toabiain hydrogen directly from water ‘a Temperatzes up 10 2000” C, using thiad substanees (Zine and others) or aliemative processes (SI Sulfur Todine ‘eycle)ammionia from nitrogen and hydrogen; any other sola fel. This is also a technology that i eonstantly evolving. It ‘does not present the disadvantage mentioned above in re tion to photovoltaic technology, but it has other problems discussed below. It is curently anticipated that rower type ‘central receiver plants wil allow, in the medium term, the ‘improvement both inefficiency and in eos of other commer ‘ial technologies inthe market for large cletrcly production plans on the order of tens ora few hundred MW. However, ‘central raceiver plant ser from the so-called cosine effect (eftectof decreasing effective reflecting area of themiror de to the angle formed by the rays relative the normal ors refletingsurlae), spillover in the receiver, losses from rans- mittance and other pheaomens that limit their eficency ‘when compared ote potential of photovoltaic technology. [0006] In terns of distributed or market generation in the tens of kW, Stirling dishes are a solution under development Jul. 24, 2014 that is stil expensive but look promising, One of the issues that makes thie technology so expensive i its having to sup- porta heavy cantilever engine a the centre of the concentra [0007] In its favour compared to photoveliacs, solar ther- ‘mal technology hus thermal inertia, the ability to hybridise andthe abit to store heat [0008] ‘The limitations of thermosolar receiver plans ean be salvaged using lighiguides to transport the concentrated Tigh. Guiding conceatrated sunlight with minimal losses rom the catchment area tothe processing area is another big challenge. Moreover, the challenge is twofold: on one hand to {develop lightguides with materials capable tansmiting the {ull spectral width of sunlight, that are compatible with advanced collectors (non-imaging optics) andallow high concentrations, thas, lighiguides ofa high numerical spertre 0009} Examples oflightgudes are traditional fbre-optics, Jiguid ightguides and photonic erystal flees (PCF). [0010] The trations fibre-optic lightguides—see docu ‘men "Solar bre-optie miniish concentrators: First experi ‘mental results and field experience” (D. Fenemann, J. M. Gordon, M Huleihil) April 2002"—huve only a limited ‘numerical aperture (maximum 0.48) which restricts. the potential ligt absorpion and the concentration levels ofthe Solar collectors. Additionally, these guides do not allow for efficient guiding ofthe solar spectrum over distances of tens ff meters. Lses inthe fibre-optic lighigudes are caused by three mechanisms: Rayleigh type seatering. absorption due ‘to metallic impurities and water inside the fibre, and intrinsic sorption by the molecule ofthe Fbve-optie material tel, siliea. The confluence of these three mechanisms limit the ‘Window ofthe soae spectrum that ean be guided through the fibres witht losses to from 1000-1250 nm up to an upper Timit of 1650 nm, showing a loss of 0.2 dBikm around 1550 ‘am, The conclusion s tht, inthe best case, these fibres do not efficiently transmit significant portion ofthe solr spectrum (UV.visible and partof the near-IR) representing over 40%0E ‘the gocumulated energy inthe sola spectrum. [0011] In regards to the Rayleigh seattering mechanism: {hiss the result of elastic collisions between the electromag netic wave and silicon molscules inside the fibre. Ihe se ‘ered light s maintained within the numerical aperme ofthe fibre, i eontinaes its journey through total internal reflection inside the fbge and no attenuation occurs. Thus, to inerease the numerical aperture of the fibre helps reduce losses from Rayleigh scattering and increase the spectrum window, 0012} As forabsomption losses due to impurities: there are ‘curently manufacturing methods suchas MCVD type (med fied chemical vapour deposition) or OVD (outside vapour deposition), which allow the manufactur of fibres without impurities or with a very small concentration of impiritis ‘These manufecturing methods allow maintaining los levels in divkm sufficiently low at all wavelengths of the above toned window, 0013} As forthe mechanism of intrinsic absorption du the fibre material itself: there is progress inthe development ‘of neve materials for fabricating the fibres to inerease this window, One example is ZBLAN glass fibre and GaLaS. ZBLAN glass (composed of zirconium, barium, lanthanum, ‘aluminium and sodium Muorides) has aeveptable yields for ‘wavelengths between 250 and 4000 nm, with a loss of 0.05 bined guides (18) for adjacent blocks (17) are in ten ‘outed to nonadjacent receiver areas (1); and 0107] Tae combined guides (15) combine lightguides (8) from different blocks (17), 10108] | While this invention is applicable to any type of receiver (1) compatible with the use of concentrator colle: tors (1) and, where appropriate, lighiguides (8), inthe case ‘of thermosolar receivers, absorber tube receivers (1) (not ‘showin) in a vertical position ao prefered, through which 2 heat transfer fui is circulated 10109] "Thus, the tubes ofthe receiver (1) can be arranges ia ‘one or several rows, preferably in more than one row over. lapping the tubes so the radiation will always find one ofthe tubes, Adltionaly, the tibes may’or may not be enclosed in transparent containers under vacuum. The containers may be ‘iter individual type foreach absorber tobe, oF there may’ be fone oF more containers that are common to mumber of absorber tabes. Moreover, the tubes may be equipped! with fntrelection coatings. [0110] The lightgwides (8) are preferably made to route Fadiation tothe absorher tubes normally tothe surface ofthe absorber tubes, fom two opposing directions to avoid ther mal stess in said absorber tubes [0111] -Theinveationcan work with any type oflase device (10), sttyough # Jongitudinal pumping Taser device (10) is prefered. [0112] The invention plant also includes a storaze means (16) for accumulating energy, for instance, in the case that sola irradiance exceeds the nominal vale, of so tat stored ‘energy canbe utilised in periods of low (or no) radiation, such asunder clouds, nighttime, and so on [0113] | Theinvention plant may funher include transforma- tion means (not shown) for transforming thermal energy from the receiver into electrical energy such a5 a steam turbine, 2 ‘2m turbine, @ Stirling engine, micto-turine, or an AMTEC ‘leant [0114] "The storage means (16) are related to the transfor mation means, so that the storage means may be solected from: 0118] Electric accumulators for accumulating at least part ofthe electrical energy procuced ina photovoltaic type receiver (1) [0116] Tanks of hot ait/gas, ifthe receiver isa theemo- solar receiver adapted to heat a heat transfer uid an the ‘ransformation media ares gas turine: 0117] Tanks of compressed saturated steam, if the receiver (1) the themmosolariype adap to heat heat transfer fd and the transformation means are steam turbines: and [0118] Tanks of salts at high temperature, ifthe receiver (isthe thermosolar type adapted to heal aheat transfer ‘uid that is salt to be sed ina steam turbine based o «Rankine cycle. [0119] As soon in FIG. 8, the storage means (16) may store ‘energy ftom the guides (8, 18) or receiver (1), and the solar reactor (21) may receive energy from the guides (8, 15) Additionally pipes (25) are arranged to transport the Beat transfer fluid from the receiver (1) to the transformation means orto somewhere else for use (not shown). Pipes (25) Jul. 24, 2014 arealso arranged to anspor heat transfer id back and forth between the receiver (1) tothe storage means (16) 1-29. (canecled) 30. solar plant, comprising fat least one solar collector including @ concentrator, the solar collector configured to collect solar radiation and ‘concentrate the solar radiation in the concentrator atleast one solar laser device, a solar converer, conti: ured to receive, directly or indirelly, concentrated radiation fiom the coacentrators in the collectors and transform the conoentrated rdiation into laser radiation 1 solae receiver and/or reactor configured to receive radi tion from laser devices and transform the radiation into nother form of energy, wherein the receiver is config- tured to use such radiation teat shat transfer medion ‘orto transmit the radiation oa photoelectric sensor, and the solar reactor is configured to obain solar fuel; and Jenses, each of which lens is configured to multiplex the ‘dation into atleast one combined guide. 31. A solar poser plant according to claim 30, further ‘comprising separate plane mirrors confignred to direc light from the atleast one laser dove via relloction towards the Tenses, '32. A solar power plant acconling to elaim 30, further comprising separate flexible Hightaudes, configured 10 col- Jeet fromoneend theradiationemitted by thet eastone laser Advice and transport the radiation towards the lenses. 33..A solar power plant according to claim 30, further ‘comprising t least one photovoltaic eel inserted between the collectors and the at least one laser device, whore the pho- ‘owls cells configured to receive a portion of radiation concentrated in the concentrators andtransform the portion of radiation into electricity, and is transparent to a part that cannot be transformed, aliwing the untransformed portion 10 eal the at least one laser device 34. A solar powerplant according to claim 33, wherein the photovoltaic cells are FICPV eels, 35, A solar powerplant according to claim 34, wherein the photovoltaic cells are multi junction type HCPV eels. 36, solar plant according to claim 30, whercin the receiver is selected roa ‘a thermosolar receiver: photovoltaic receiver 37. A solar plant according to claim 30, wherein theat least, ‘one solar collectors solectod from: parabolic type die collectors; lens type Fresnel collectors; ‘advanced collectors, developed based on non-imaging “optics. 38. A solar power plant acconding to claim 30, further ‘comprising atleast one dual-ais tracking device to orient the atleast one collector. 39. A solar power plant aocording to claim 38, wherein cach solar collector is linked to its own individual tracking device, 440.4 solae powerplant according to claim 38, comprising at last one tricking device linked to multiple collectors. 41. A solar powerplant according to claim 32, witersin the Tightguides ae selected from: ‘raditional fiber optic guides: PCF type guides: liquid Hghtguides. 42. A solar powerplant according to claim 41, wisecin the conventional fiber opti lightguides are selected fromUS 2014/0202522 AI MCVD type guides: and OVD type guides. 43. A solar power plant according to claim 41, wherein the PCE type lighiguides are selected from: IGF type guides: BE type guides. 4, Asolar power plant aecording fo claim 41, wherein the PCE type lightguides are doped with P-O,, 45. A solar plant according to claim 42, wherein the light= tides are designed with materials selected fom fused silica lightguides; ZBLAN lass lightguides; and Galas glass lightgnies. 46. Asolar power plant ecording to claim 32, wherein the receiver isof hermosolartype, wherein the radiation incident ‘on adjacent regions of the receiver comes from lightguides, Jocated in nonadjacent areas of the a least one collector. 47. Asolar power plant cording fo csim 46, wherein the lightguides are routed directly tothe receiver, s0 that no all Fightguides of single ares ofthe atleast one eollector are routed to 8 same are ofthe receiver, but in every area ofthe receiver th ightguides adjacent to those from onc areuor the at least one cllector come from collector areas located else- where, 48. A solar power plant according to claim 47, wherein the Fightguides of a collector area are multiplexed so that eo bined lightguides adjacent in the receiver combine light- tides that come from collector areas located elsewhere, 49. Asolar power plant according to claim 46, wherein the ‘combines! lighiguides combine lihtguides from different reas af the at least one collector, 50, A solar power plant aecording fo claim 30, wherein the laser device is longitudinal pumping. Jul. 24, 2014 51, A solar power plant according to claim 30, farther comprising a storage means for storing part of the trans- Tormed solar radiation 52, Asolarplant according to claim $0, whereinthe storage cats comprises a lest one of: electric accumulators; tanks of hot sirigas tanks of saturated compressed steam; and tanks of salt type heat transfer tid at high temperature, 53. A solar power plant aeconling to elaim 30, further ‘comprising eansformation means for wansforming the ther ‘mal energy ofthe receiver into electric energy. 4. solar plant according t claim 88, where {formation means is selected from: steam turbine; gas turbine; Stirling engine 4 Miero turbine: and an AMTEC element 855. A solue power plant according to claim 30, wherein the solar reactor is configured to obtain at least ane solar fuel selected fom: hydrogen, direetly from water at temperature not exceed ing 2000° Cad ammonia, from nitrogen and hydrogen. 6. A solat power plant according fo claim $8, witeein the solar reactor is configured to proluce hydrogen using Zinc 57. A solar powerplant according fo claim $8, wherein the solar reactor is configured to produce hydrogen using iodine sulfur processes the tran