High-temperature solar power plants for continuous energy supply
An innovative spin-off from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 247Solar, presents a ground-breaking high-temperature solar power plant that enables continuous electricity and heat production. This system promises a solution to the challenges of renewable energies, particularly those of storage and availability.
The centrepiece of 247Solar’s technology is a high-temperature heat exchanger developed by David Gordon Wilson, Professor Emeritus at MIT. By integrating this heat exchanger into a conventional turbine similar to a jet engine, efficient and emission-free energy generation becomes possible. The turbine utilises hot air, which is heated to around 1,000 degrees Celsius by solar energy, to produce both electricity and heat.
Solar power plant with integrated energy storage
An innovative component of this system is combined heat and power generation, supplemented by thermal energy storage. These store heat in solid materials, which can then drive the turbine when solar radiation is not available. This enables a continuous energy supply, regardless of the time of day and weather conditions. The generation capacity of the model presented is 400 kilowatts of electricity and 600 kilowatts of heat.
The modular design of the system offers a wide range of possible applications, especially for remote or self-sufficient communities. This technology is ideal for combining with other renewable energy sources such as wind power to provide a holistic and sustainable energy supply.
Bruce Anderson, Managing Director of 247Solar, emphasises that the main aim of developing this system was to overcome the intermittency issues of conventional renewables. The ability to provide uninterrupted energy represents a significant advance in the utilisation of renewable energy sources and could play a key role in the global energy future.