A power company in China has implemented an innovative technology that integrates two solar thermal towers to significantly improve its energy efficiency. This project, located near Guazhou County in Gansu Province, was recently highlighted in a video by China Media Group (CMG). The towers, which rise 200 meters high, are surrounded by nearly 30,000 mirrors arranged in two large overlapping circles, concentrating sunlight onto the towers to generate electricity.
Difference between the plant with two solar towers and the conventional ones
The system has a unique feature that allows the generation of power generation even during the night. Unlike conventional coal plants that use heat to generate electricity, this plant uses molten salt stored inside the towers as a thermal battery. This innovation allows excess heat from the day to be retained and released gradually, ensuring that the plant can continue to operate without interruption after sunset.
The focus of this plant does not stop at its design, as the mirrors used are made of a special material that allows a reflection efficiency of up to 94%, an impressive figure that contributes directly to increasing the overall efficiency of the system. The evwind website mentions that Wen Jianghong, director of the project, explained that the mirrors located in the overlap zone can direct their reflection towards any of the towers, thus optimizing sunlight collection and increasing efficiency by 24%.The mirrors can direct their reflection towards any of the towers, optimizing sunlight collection and increasing efficiency by 24%.
The world’s first double-tower solar thermal power plant with a single generator. Source: CGTN.
CMG’s video also revealed how the mirrors have the ability to adjust their orientation automatically, following the path of the sun from east in the morning to west in the evening. This mechanism ensures maximum solar energy collection throughout the day.
Projected to start operations by the end of 2024, this plant not only represents a technological breakthrough, but is also part of a larger complex that includes solar, thermal and wind power facilities. It is estimated that the entire complex will generate more than 1.8 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually and reduce carbon emissions. carbon emissions by up to 1.53 million tons. emissions by up to 1.53 million tons.
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Source and photo: CGTN
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