Performance of solar energy on parabolic through technology

Abstract

In this paper we compares different solar field technologies, in terms of both performance at design conditions and annual energy production; an in-house code, PATTO, was used to perform energy balances. Further thermodynamic advantages can be achieved with a direct steam generation plant; the main drawback is the more complex transient control and no commercially available storage systems. We propose the innovative Milan configuration, which combines advantages of direct steam evaporation and the use of a heat-transfer fluid, to investigate both synthetic oil and solar salts for steam superheating and reheating.