Solar thermal is a relatively efficient way of capturing energy from the sun, and is flexible in how that energy is then used. With Turboden ORC, small yet efficient solar power plants are able to be used, increasing the number of places that plants can be located.
Advantages of ORC in Solar Applications
Compared to photovoltaic conversion systems, the thermodynamic conversion has some important advantages:
- It allows to use simpler, possibly locally produced, concentrating collectors;
- It is possible to accumulate the heat for delayed use, e.g. it is possible to accumulate heat during the day for evening or night use.
- The heat downstream from the conversion system can be further used for heating or cooling (in an absorption chiller) purposes.
Compared to conventional thermodynamic plants, where heat is converted to electricity through a standard steam powerplant (typical steam solar systems are 50MWel covering 200 hectares), Turboden ORC technology offers these advantages:
- It allows good results at smaller scale, such as 2MW and 8 hectares;
- The compact size of the Turboden ORC unit makes it easier to detect the right location, obtain the necessary authorizations, establish the electrical connection, access the financing and realize the plant in a shorter period of time.
- High reliability and easy operation and maintenance