Construction is in full swing to build a 200,000-kilowatt concentrated solar power (CSP) generation system in the solar power-abundant Delingha City of northwest China's Qinghai Province, as part of a one-million-kilowatt solar thermal energy generation and storage project.
Recently, workers have been busy installing heliostats for the CSP project, which is operated by China General Nuclear (CGN) New Energy Delingha.
"At present, our 200,000-kilowatt solar thermal energy storage project's main structures, such as the heat absorption tower and main plant, have all finished roof capping. And the assembly (of heliostats) is expected to be completed in mid-to-late May," said Qi Jinguo, deputy project manager of CGN New Energy Delingha.
Local officials said the city has favorable conditions for the development of the CSP system.
"Delingha City is rich in solar energy resources, with an average annual sunshine duration of about 3,200 hours and an average annual total solar radiation of 7,000 megajoules per square meter," said Wang Hongsheng, deputy director of the development and reform commission of Delingha City.
Compared with traditional photovoltaic power generation projects which are heavily dependent on weather conditions, the one-million-kilowatt solar thermal energy generation and storage project can continue to supply electricity after sunset.
The key to its constant electricity supply lies in the 200,000-kilowatt CSP project, where heliostats can redirect sunlight onto the solar power tower.
"This is equivalent to installing a 'GPS' for the sun. Each set of heliostats adjusts the reflection angle in real time according to the sunshine. And with the use of an integrated system, we can make the more than 20,000 heliostats to transfer the solar energy received to the center of the solar thermal tower," said Miao Zhiguo, an engineer of CGN New Energy Delingha.
"During the day, the project concentrates sunlight and collects heat to increase the temperature of molten salt, so as to store heat. At night, it utilizes the high-temperature liquid molten salt to release heat. The 'storage and release' process enables generators to release power continuously and stably," said Chao Zengxian, safety engineer of CGN New Energy Delingha.
According to CGN New Energy Delingha, the project showcases part of the company's efforts to promote sustainable transition from traditional fuel-driven power generation to the production of green energy with solar power.
"After the project is fully completed by the end of this year, we will be capable of supplying 1.8 billion kWh of green electricity to the power grid each year, which is equivalent to saving 550,000 tons of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 1.3 million tons," said Li Tingye, the deputy manager of the operation department at CGN New Energy Delingha.
Construction underway for solar power project in northwest China
