Research Trends and Future Prospects for Solar Thermal Power Generation

Abstract

In this presentation, the basic structure and elemental technologies of concentrating solar thermal power (CSP) generation will be outlined, and the operational status and construction trends of commercial-scale CSP plants will be described. Next, the latest research trends in next-generation CSP plants, mainly in the United States, Europe, and Australia, will be introduced. Namely, high temperature and high efficiency solar thermal power generation, PV/CSP hybrid plants, and thermal power storage will be introduced. Finally, the author will outline our laboratory's efforts to address next-generation CSP and thermal energy storage.