Aurinkolämpövoima

Aurinkolämpövoima, also known as concentrated solar power (CSP), is a technology that generates electricity from sunlight. Unlike photovoltaic solar panels that convert sunlight directly into electricity, CSP systems use mirrors or lenses to concentrate a large area of sunlight onto a small area. This concentrated light then heats a fluid, such as water, oil, or molten salt, to a high temperature. The heat from this fluid is then used to produce steam, which drives a turbine connected to a generator, producing electricity.

There are several types of CSP systems, including parabolic troughs, solar towers, Fresnel reflectors, and parabolic dishes. Parabolic troughs use curved mirrors to focus sunlight onto a receiver tube running along the focal line. Solar towers use a field of mirrors (heliostats) to reflect sunlight onto a central receiver located at the top of a tower. Fresnel reflectors use long, flat or slightly curved mirrors to focus sunlight onto a receiver tube. Parabolic dishes are similar to satellite dishes and focus sunlight onto a receiver at their focal point.

A key advantage of CSP is its ability to store thermal energy. The heated fluid can be stored in insulated tanks, allowing electricity generation to continue even when the sun is not shining, such as at night or during cloudy periods. This makes CSP a dispatchable renewable energy source, meaning its output can be controlled to meet demand. CSP plants are typically located in sunny regions with large land areas available. The technology offers a way to generate clean electricity on a large scale, contributing to decarbonization efforts.