Objective
Dish/Stirling (D/S) solar electric systems at power levels ranging from 5 kW and clustered to 10 MW have been internationally identified as one of the most promising technologies for future decentralised solar and solar/hybrid electricity generation in regions with high solar radiation. In current performance and longevity tests they have demonstrated for being the most efficient technology in converting solar radiation into electric energy in comparison to all other solar electric systems. First market assessments for the Mediterranean area showed a market potential of more than 500 to 600 MW which could be opened up in the mid-term.
With this environmental clean and resource-saving technology a huge export market for the industrialised nations could be developed.
The technical feasibility of the D/S system designed by Schlaich Bergermann und Partner have been proven in several prototypes with more than 26 000 operating hours (world record).
The main barrier to introduce D/S systems to the market are acceptable system costs. SBP's D/S design has already reached 11 000 ECU/kWelfor single prototype installations. Further cost reductions are only possible by developing and testing new cost optimised components and preparing small series production. For first market penetrations in remote areas and island installations, system costs have to be below 5 000 ECU/kWel.
This will be achieved by:
- Cost reduction of involved components
Actual prototypes have been built by using available of-the-shelf components which are however expensive and not well adjusted to the use in Dish/Stirling applications. Thus new components will be developed, manufactured and tested.
- Developing of a new concentrator manufacturing procedure
The actual costs for the steel parts of the prototypes are approximately 6 to 7 ECU/kg. The material costs are only 0.5 to 1 ECU/kg.Thus new component design and manufacturing concepts will be developed, and the required tools with the ability to reduce costs to 2.5 to 3 ECU/kg will be developed, built and tested.
- Stirling engine
The manufacturing cost for the Stirling engine will be reduced by developing adequate tools for small series production.
- Development and test of a cost effective building procedure - Remote monitoring and protected control via World Wide Web (WWW) - Erection and test of three pre-commercial units as reference systems
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectrical engineeringelectric energy
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectrical engineeringpower engineeringelectric power generation
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesmeteorologysolar radiation
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesinternetworld wide web
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
70178 STUTTGART
Germany