This report utilizes the results of the Solar Two project, as well as continuing technology development, to update the technical and economic status of molten-salt power towers. The report starts with an overview of power tower technology, including the progression from Solar One to the Solar Two project. This discussion is followed by a review of the Solar Two project-what was planned, what actually occurred, what was learned, and what was accomplished. The third section presents preliminary information regarding the likely configuration of the next moltensalt power tower plant. This section draws on Solar Two experience as well as results of continuing power tower development efforts conducted jointly by industry and Sandia National Laboratories. The fourth section details the expected performance and cost goals for the first commercial molten-salt power tower plant and includes a comparison of the commercial performance goals to the actual performance at Solar One and Solar Two. The final section summarizes the successes of Solar Two and the current technology development activities. The data collected from the Solar Two project suggest that the electricity cost goals established for power towers are reasonable and can be achieved with some simple design improvements. Evaluation of Molten Salt Power Tower Technology

Solar Two was a collaborative, cost-shared project between 11 U. S. industry and utility partners and the U. S. Department of Energy to validate molten-salt power tower technology. The Solar Two plant, located east of Barstow, CA, comprised 1926 heliostats, a receiver, a thermal storage system, a steam generation system, and steam-turbine power block. Molten nitrate salt was used as the heat transfer fluid and storage media. The steam generator powered a 10-MWe (megawatt electric), conventional Rankine cycle turbine. Solar Two operated from June 1996 to April 1999. The major objective of the test and evaluation phase of the project was to validate the technical characteristics of a molten salt power tower. This report describes the significant results from the test and evaluation activities, the operating experience of each major system, and overall plant performance. Tests were conducted to measure the power output (MW) of the each major system, the efficiencies of the heliostat, receiver, thermal storage, and electric power generation systems and the daily energy collected, daily thermal-to-electric conversion, and daily parasitic energy consumption. Also included are detailed test and evaluation reports.

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Abstract. Solar Two is a utility-led project to promote the commercialization of solar power towers by retrofitting the Solar One pilot plant from a waterhteam-based system to a molten salt system. Solar Two is capable of producing 10 MW, net electricity with enough thermal storage capacity to operate the turbine for three hours after sunset. The plant was turned over to its operations and maintenance contractor in February 1998, marking transition from start-up to the test and evaluation phase. Solar Two has collected as much as 230 MWh thermal and generated as much as 72 MWh, gross electricity in one day. The plant has demonstrated dispatchability after dark, during clouds, and during sunshine hours. To date, Solar Two has collected thermal energy at a maximum rate of 39 MW, and generated gross electricity at a maximum rate of 1 1.1 MW,. Important lessons have been learned in the areas of heat trace, valve selection, materials of construction, and steam generator design. Testing has begun in a number of areas relating to receiver performance, storage tank performance, salt chemistry, overnight thermal conditioning, electricity dispatching, performance monitoring and evaluation, availability tracking, and receiver controls.

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