The First Solar Power Tower System in Saudi Arabia

Abstract:

This article is about designing and building a small scale prototype tower system to gather solar energy and store it in a molten salt tank. The system consists of several heliostats directing incident solar rays to a receiver at the top of a tower. It is intended to establish highly reputable research and development facility in solar thermal energy systems. A thorough investigation in the field of building and utilizing solar tower system was conducted. The authors studied and presented the current state of art of the technological developments concerning the solar tower systems and an assessment of their advantages and disadvantages. The adaptability of CSP (Concentrating Solar Power) power systems to Saudi Arabia climate was closely investigated. A scheme for a pilot solar power plant that it most suited to the conditions of Saudi Arabia was proposed. The next stage will be building, fabrication, and constructing the various subsystems; heliostats, tower, receiver, and storage tank.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volumes 672-674)
• Pages: 123-126
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.672-674.123
• Online since: October 2014
• Authors: Nidal H. Abu-Hamdeh*, Khaled A. Alnefaie
• Keywords: Concentrating Solar Energy, Molten Salt, Solar Receiver

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