The solar irradiation is reflected by the heliostats (sun tracking mirrors) to a single spot at the top of the Solar Tower. The concentrated solar irradiation hits the volumetric receiver and heats it up to a temperature of 680°C. Ambient air is sucked through the porous absorber material by two blowers. The hot air enters the steam generator to produce superheated steam with a pressure of 26 bar pressure and 480°C. This steam is fed to a steam turbine. The air leaves the steam generator at a temperature of 120 °C and is transported back to receiver to cool its support structure and recover the remaining energy. In times of high solar power the energy can be stored in a thermal storage system. For the Jülich demonstration plant all system components are located inside the tower. This is not necessarily the case for a large power plant.

Depending on the solar irradiation the thermal storage the plant can charged or discharged (also together with solar operation) by adjusting the power of the two blowers. Thus, a parallel process like storage load and steam production is possible.

Solar Thermal Power Plant The Solar Tower Power Plant Jülich features the follow parameters:

• Electric power approx. 1.5 MW
• Area of single mirror: approx. 8 m²
• Number of sun-tracking mirrors: 2150
• Area mirrors power plant approx. 18000 m²
• Storage capacity approx. 1 to 1.5 hours

More Information can be found on the website of the Solar Tower Power Plant Jülich project (currently only in German)

Or on the website from the constructers of the Solar Tower Power Plant Jülich Kraftanlagen München (KAM)