Solar air turbine systems

CSIRO and Mitsuibish heavy industries (japan)

A new partnership between CSIRO and Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) will develop and advance solar air turbine technology to decrease the cost of capital, installation and operation of the system, whilst simultaneously increasing its efficiency. This is one of the breakthrough technologies that will enable solar energy to become more cost competitive with other traditional energy systems.

In the short term solar air turbines will be able to provide distributed (or remote) power in regional locations where diesel is commonly used, while in the medium term it has the potential to provide cost benefits as grid connected modular power stations.

CSIRO and MHI will develop and test a solar thermal air turbine at the Solar Thermal Research Hub, supported with an ASI Foundation grant, at the CSIRO National Solar Energy Centre, Newcastle, NSW.

Solar air turbine technology has a number of benefits when compared to other energy systems:
• Water free – the air turbine does not require water for cooling and is therefore suited to remote and arid locations
• Remote (or distributed) power – the system can provide clean, renewable energy for remotely based community and industry
• Dispatchability – the air turbine can be hybridised with backup fuel such as gas for dispatchable power.

The project will investigate each of the major components of the solar air turbine system for potential efficiencies. These components include:
• receiver – improving air receivers to withstand higher temperature conditions
• heliostats – engineering a cheaper, more efficient, commercial ready design
• continuous power supply – demonstrating dispatchable power solutions for after-dark electricity generation
• system – designing the best possible pilot and commercial solar air turbine system.

The partnership with MHI on this project will ensure solar air turbine systems progress beyond research phase and begin the process towards commercialisation.

Fact sheet: Solar air turbine systems (317 KB)