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Global Concentrated Solar Power Industry to Reach 25 GW by 2020

May 6, 2009 | 5 Comments

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Massachusetts, United States [RenewableEnergyWorld.com] Led by development in Spain and potential in the U.S., concentrated solar power markets are entering a new growth phase, amidst a tumultuous global economic landscape. The CSP industry is scaling rapidly with 1.2 GW under construction as of April 2009 and another 13.9 GW announced globally through 2014, according to a new study from Emerging Energy Research analyzing global CSP markets and strategies.

"The race is on to determine which CSP technology can deliver, particularly in the uncertain economic climate."

-- Reese Tisdale

Spain is the epicenter of CSP development with 22 projects for 1,037 MW under construction, all of which are projected to come online by the end of 2010. The current Spanish Royal Decree, which calls for 500 MW of solar CSP by 2010, has been largely responsible for the dramatic increase in CSP development activity in Spain since 2008.

However, a review of Spain’s feed-in tariff (FIT) scheme is underway and its outcome will have a significant impact upon 6 GW of projects in the pipeline. The success of Spain’s longer-term CSP position will largely depend on the government’s willingness to continue fostering CSP development through feed-in tariffs, according to EER.

Global CSP Pipeline by Country, 1985-2014

Source: Emerging Energy Research

Despite only 75 MW of CSP under construction, the U.S. continues to offer significant opportunity for CSP, with 8.5 GW in the pipeline and scheduled for installation by 2014.

While parabolic trough represents more than 96% of all CSP projects currently under construction in Spain, the technology accounts for only 40% of the U.S. CSP pipeline. Backed by sufficient government incentives, Spanish CSP developers have not been compelled to take on major technology risks, according to EER.

Regional CSP Pipeline by Technology

Source: Emerging Energy Research

“The U.S. market has a greater technology mix, as the highly cost-competitive marketplace encourages innovative technology development, such as central receiver, dish engine, and linear Fresnel,” said Reese Tisdale, research director for Emerging Energy Research. “The race is on to determine which CSP technology can deliver, particularly in the uncertain economic climate.”

Spain and the U.S. will continue to lead CSP project development activity for the next decade due to a combination of resource and policy support, according to EER. The rest of southern Europe has yet to catch neighboring Spain’s solar CSP fever, primarily due to a lack of government incentives. According to the EER's study, CSP activity is also gaining momentum in the Middle East, North Africa and the Asia Pacific regions.

For more information on the report from EER, click here.

Solar Energy

5 Reader Comments

Comment
1 of 5

Anonymous

May 6, 2009

There is no mention in this article about the cost of CSP. At the recently built Andasol 1 power plant in Spain this source (http://social.csptoday.com/content/lower-cost-production-actually-product-andasol-1s-energy-storage) claims that a kWh of electricity costs 0.271 Eurocents (~ $0.36 US). Unless costs drop quite dramatically this technology won't be useful.... Is there any evidence that that is likely?
Steven

Comment
2 of 5

william-cormeny-116859

May 6, 2009

Alternatives to coal,gas,LNG,and nuclear make every utility and railroad re-examine the present system.
Wind,tidal,and solar power are drawing investment dollars into research.
Most railroad men should recognize the potential for alternative sources of electricity and join in the movement by proposing the electrification of their main freight routes using alternative sources
The utilities know their ownership of the grid makes them major players in these sources. They should also know they may fall into the hands of the government if they do not adapt to these new sources.Industrial consumers of electricity will not stand idly by and watch the utilities demand extortionate rates.
Most politicians will stand aside and let the voters rein in the utilities.

Comment
3 of 5

thomas-blum-159843

May 8, 2009

Parabolic trough appears to be most useful technology.

Comment
4 of 5

gerry-wolff-45432

May 8, 2009

Re the cost of CSP (query by "Anonymous"), there is information about it here:http://www.trec-uk.org.uk/csp/costs.htm .

Comment
5 of 5

jimmiller5417

May 8, 2009

The success of parabolic troughs, Fresnel linear lenses and any similar technology will depend on two items:

1. Proof that an ionic liquid has a heat range during which it will not vaporize, using the heat generated by the heat collectors.
2. The use of Thermal Energy Batteries (aka, Thermal Energy Flywheels), to store heat generated during the time the Sun shines and its use during off-Sun hours.
Jim Miller
jimmiller5417@yahoo.com

The trick is to use an ionic fluid which can stand up to 600 degrees F without vaporization to transfer the heat from the collector to the TEB, in which a heat exchanger is built, then use the high heat as a reservoir as a lower heat is parsed to the application such as a CHP unit

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