Investigation of feasibility for an inverter-controlled variable speed drive in a stirling CSP application

Abstract

Environmental safe and non-polluting methods for supporting a growing earth population with energy has never been as discussed as during the last years. This thesis is an evaluation of upgrading a concentrated solar power (CSP) plant based on the stirling dish technology with an inverter controlled generator system instead of a system locked to the grid frequency. The purpose is to investigate if the extra energy obtained economically justifies investment in a more efficient but more expensive solution. This thesis shows that by introducing an inverter controlled drive system, the resulting CSP system is more efficient during the less sunny days as well as during the morning/afternoon hours. The overall annual efficiency for a reference site in Los Angeles, California (USA) increased by 6.7% as well as giving the benefit of not needing to optimize the system for each new installation site. The extra energy produced is shown to justify an investment in an inverter-controlled variable speed drive