CHANGING PERSPECTIVES: Crescent Dunes Solar
Crescent Dunes Solar was built as a 110 MW tower-style concentrated solar power plant with molten salt storage near Tonopah, Nevada, USA. Two molten salt storage tanks make projects like Crescent Dunes unique. “Cold” molten salt, 288ºC, is pumped from one tank up the tower, superheated with the sun’s thermal energy via heliostats (mirrors) to 565ºC, then pumped down to the second tank. This “hot” tank serves as thermal storage. By disconnecting the collection of thermal energy from the creation of electricity, projects like Crescent Dunes Solar can produce electricity throughout a twenty-four-hour cycle. Electricity can be produced on demand by converting stored thermal energy to steam to drive turbines.
Combining the unique benefits of concentrated solar with thermal storage, wind power, photovoltaic projects, and battery storage, we can create renewable energy systems capable of delivering electricity to the grid 24/7.
Update: Due to continued mechanical problems, some of which were due to faulty construction, Crescent Dunes Solar did not meet its contractual energy production quotas. In 2019, NV Energy canceled its power purchase agreement with the plant's operators, leaving the project's future uncertain. In 2021, limited plant operation resumed, but as of 2023, its status is again unclear. Internationally, other tower-style concentrated solar projects with molten salt storage operate successfully.
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