Solar thermal energy is a technology that uses the sun’s energy to generate electricity. This is typically done by using mirrors to concentrate the sun’s energy onto a receiver, which then heats a fluid, such as water or oil, to produce steam. The steam is then used to drive a turbine, which generates electricity.

Solar thermal power plants can be classified in two main types: parabolic trough and power tower. Parabolic trough systems use long parabolic mirrors to focus the sun’s energy onto a receiver tube containing a heat-transfer fluid, while power tower systems use an array of mirrors to focus the sun’s energy onto a central receiver located at the top of a tower.

Solar thermal power generation is a form of renewable energy and is considered as a reliable and low-emitting source of electricity. It also has the advantage of being able to store the energy in a thermal energy storage system, which allows for the generation of electricity even when the sun is not shining. However, solar thermal power generation requires a significant upfront investment and can be limited to certain geographic regions that have abundant solar resources.

GRC provides technical consulting services to clients in the solar thermal power generation industry. Our team of experts can assist with:

• Feasibility studies for new solar thermal power projects
• Optimization of existing solar thermal power plants for improved efficiency and emissions performance
• Identification and implementation of new technologies to reduce emissions
• Assessment of the environmental impacts of solar thermal power projects, including impacts on land use and water resources
• Evaluation of solar thermal power generation in the context of broader energy systems and policies