About POWDER2POWER
The POWDER2POWER (P2P) project aims to demonstrate the operational viability of an innovative First-of-its-Kind CSP technology utilizing fluidized bed particle technology in key components like the solar receiver and heat exchanger at the MW-scale over a significant duration of operation: 1 year. The solar process encompasses all essential components of a commercial solar thermal plant, albeit at an eventually smaller prototype-scale (2 MWth at the receiver aperture).
The complete power plant comprises three subsystems: the solar field, particle loop, and working fluid loop. The particle loop features innovative components like the fluidized bed solar receiver, a cold particle storage, a vertical particle conveyance system, a hot particle storage, a particle-to-working fluid compartmented-fluidized bed heat exchanger, and a gas turbine. Notice especially, an electric heater, strategically positioned upstream of the hot storage, which is integrated to explore a hybrid CSP-PV concept. This concept involves subjecting particles exiting the solar receiver to electric heating, ensuring their overheating and maintaining the desired temperature of 750°C. Concerning the working fluid loop, a sCO₂ Brayton conversion cycle is envisioned at commercial-scale although the complete pilot loop will be tested using an existing hybrid gas turbine: in this prototype the working fluid is pressurized air.
While operating within temperature limitations of the solar receiver tube wall limited to 850°C by the used cost-effective stainless alloy (310S), the POWDER2POWER prototype aims to demonstrate the particle-based solar system’s long term sustained operation. The focus is on evaluating expected techno-economic and sustainability performance at utility-scale using validated models and operation data.
Concept
Main innovations
General view of the pilot plant at the Themis tower with a 3D sketch of the pneumatic particle conveying system: a particle downcomer (orange pipe) and lifter (blue pipe)
Multi-tube solar receiver with cavity during solar test atop the Themis tower
Multi-tube solar receiver (right picture) with cavity during solar test (left picture) atop the Themis tower
Power block system at the bottom of the Themis tower 3D sketch: (a) Electric heater, (b) Hot store, (c) Heat exchanger, (d) Hybridization connection pipes, and (e) Turbo Alternator
Objectives
P2P introduces disruptive technology, demonstrating a particle-driven CSP pilot system suitable for both solar electric power and industrial solar heat production, contributing to the EU’s ambitious climate goals and shaping the future of renewable technologies on a global scale.
Expected Impacts
Technology
Science
Environment & SocietyThe POWDER2POWER project will develop and operate a First-of-its-Kind particle-based CSP technology installed in operational environment bringing an important number of technological advances:
• On-sun test performance of a 2 MWth multitube fluidized bed solar receiver and upscaling tools
• Test results of a vertical particle conveying system in operational conditions (95 m height) similar to the envisioned utility scale layout
• A 2 MWth compartmented counter-current fluidized bed heat exchanger prototype and associated performance test results
• A sCO2-fluidized particle heat exchanger upscaling tool for the design of this innovative technology at utility scale
• On-sun demonstration results of the complete POWDER2POWER pilot plant for 12 months
• Validated engineering tool of the key components of the P2P concept: (solar receiver, conveyance device, heat exchanger)
• Operation and Maintenance guide for the utility-scale POWDER2POWER solar plant
POWDER2POWER pioneering scientific achievements reinforce European scientific expertise and export potential for renewable energy technologies through international collaborations, fostering innovation and knowledge exchange with the main project result, such as:
• High temperature particle flow properties
• Solar receivers: development of three strongly-linked models, a thermal model, a creep fatigue model for lifetime prediction and an AI approach to establish the basis of a control strategy
• Validated model of a compartmented counter-current fluidized bed heat exchanger
• Simulation tools of advanced sCO2 cycles
POWDER2POWER project goes beyond scientific and technological advancements, aiming to create a positive impact by fostering environmental sustainability and contributing to direct and indirect job creation in the renewable energy sector:
• CO2 emissions of CSP plants ranges from 10 to 31 g CO2-eq/kWh that is more than ten times less than those of state-of-the-art natural gas power plants for electricity or heat production.
• According to corresponding experiences in Spain, about 2000 people are directly & indirectly employed for the construction and erection of a power plant with a capacity of 50 MWe over a period of 2 years. Around 50 permanent jobs will be directly created for the operation of one plant at utility scale.
• According to International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), direct & indirect employment create about 18 workers per installed MWe : https://www.irena.org/publications/2020/Jun/Renewable-Power-Costs-in-2019.
• Depending on the stage of development of the country in which a CSP plant is built, the share of local value creation can be up to 80%.
Work plan and Main expected Results
WP3
Solar Pilot Modification, Component testing and complete Pilot Demonstration
WP Leader : CNRS-PROMES
