Concentrating solar thermal power is less affected by material
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A recent study by Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden discussed in detail the issue of materials for concentrating solar thermal power generation (CSP). Research confirms that CSP is not subject to the large-scale restrictions on material supply. However, this industry also faces some problems that need to be solved urgently, such as replacing the silver on the mirror.
The study concluded that the demand for materials by CSPs appears to be largely unconstrained compared to global reserves. Since China introduced restrictions on the export of rare earth metals, some scarce materials relying on renewable energy technologies have received attention. Many research institutes in the field of wind and photovoltaics are working to reduce the excessive dependence on rare materials such as indium or rare earth metals. The CSP industry is "probably" less constrained, mainly using common materials such as steel and glass.
The study concluded that the demand for materials by CSPs appears to be largely unconstrained compared to global reserves. In theory, it can build enough solar thermal power plants, which is at least five times the current global electricity demand.
However, the study also pointed out some of the challenges the industry may face, with a focus on silver, which is currently widely used in mirrors. Even if the needs of the booming CSP industry are not taken into consideration, silver metal is most likely to fall short of demand in the coming decades. CSP mirror manufacturers may use other reflective surface materials (such as aluminum) to ensure cost competitiveness.
According to the growth scenario of Greenpeace/IEA SolarPACES/ESTELA, it is predicted that by 2050, the CSP power generation can reach 8000 TWh/year, and the nitrate consumed by the CSP power plant is 50%~120% of the current annual output. Several common materials (such as glass, The consumption of nickel, magnesium, molybdenum, etc. is 5% to 15% of current annual production.
Researchers point out that parabolic trough CSP power plants tend to use large amounts of concrete and steel, while small heliostat tower power plants use more aluminum and stainless steel. Compared to a molten salt absorption tower CSP power plant, parabolic trough power plants require more molten salt per megawatt. This means that trough power plants are more susceptible to molten salt production bottlenecks than tower power plants unless other storage technologies are used.
Researchers believe that higher steam temperatures and increased efficiency of power plants will result in lower material requirements, but higher temperatures mean more high-quality steels to be used, as well as pipes, receivers, and turbines such as molybdenum, thorium, etc. Alloy materials are limited in both inventory and yield. The researchers mentioned that if only CSP use may be sufficient, but these materials have many other uses, this may be a problem in the more distant future. In the short term, priority should be given to the production of silver instead of nitrate and nitrate as an endothermic molten salt.
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