Overview
DhSP CSP tower is a 135 MW concentrated solar power facility in China. The plant uses solar thermal technology to generate renewable electricity for the grid.
DhSP CSP tower is a concentrated solar power (CSP) plant located in China, with a capacity of 135 MW. This facility is part of China's expanding renewable energy portfolio, contributing to the country's goal of carbon neutrality by 2060. CSP technology uses mirrors to concentrate sunlight and generate heat, which is then used to produce steam and drive turbines. The plant operates under China's renewable energy framework, which includes feed-in tariffs and renewable portfolio standards. CSP plants like this one are typically large-scale and can include thermal energy storage, allowing for dispatchable power generation. China has been investing heavily in CSP to complement its vast solar PV and wind capacity. Environmentally, CSP plants have a moderate land-use footprint and can impact local ecosystems through land clearing and water use for cooling. However, they produce no direct emissions during operation. The DhSP CSP tower supports grid stability and helps reduce reliance on coal-fired power in the region.
Environmental context
The DhSP CSP tower is located in a region with high solar insolation, making it suitable for solar thermal power generation. CSP plants require significant land area for mirror fields, which can alter local landscapes and habitats. Water use for cooling is a consideration in arid areas, though dry cooling systems can mitigate this. The facility contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution compared to fossil fuel plants.
Frequently asked questions
The DhSP CSP tower is located in China, at coordinates 37.37 N, 97.288 E. It is in a region with high solar radiation suitable for CSP.
The DhSP CSP tower has a capacity of 135 megawatts (MW), making it a medium-to-large scale concentrated solar power facility.
CSP uses mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto a receiver, which heats a fluid to produce steam. The steam drives a turbine to generate electricity. CSP can include thermal storage to provide power even when the sun is not shining.
China supports CSP through feed-in tariffs, renewable portfolio standards, and national targets for carbon neutrality by 2060. The government has implemented policies to encourage solar thermal power development.
CSP produces no direct greenhouse gas emissions during operation, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. It can provide dispatchable renewable power, helping to integrate variable sources like solar PV and wind.