Development progress of the CentRec® particle receiver technology

The centrifugal particle receiver technology (CentRec®) is predicted to contribute significantly to reduction in levelized cost of electricity I heat (LCOE I LCOH) for concentrating solar power (CSP) and concentrating solar thermal (CST) applications. Main drivers are derived from the benefit offered from solid particles as heat transfer medium (HTM) and storage medium which are reduced receiver cost, increased operating temperature range and lower cost for the HTF itself. Previously, the CentRec® receiver was tested at the Solar Tower Ji.lich under significant part load due to optical restrictions of the facility. The results confirmed the expectation into receiver performance and motivated further projects to improve systems understanding as well as full load operational experience. This paper provides an overview over the currently ongoing projects aimed at improving the understanding of the CentRec® receiver through operation in a lab- environment at the DLR’s Synlight facility and a test campaign at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF) of the Sandia National Laboratories. Initial results from a study of increasing the receiver size are shown. Lastly, two new commercial scale CentRec® installations are introduced. These include a full test loop at the DLR’s new Multi Focus Tower in Ji.lich, Germany, and a complete plant being developed and built as a technology demonstrator in Foggia, Italy.