CSP technology captures solar energy through troughs or mirrors (also called heliostats), which are set on trackers and concentrate the sunlight to generate power. Mainly used in utility-scale power generation projects, the technology also holds promise for other applications, including process heat and enhanced oil recovery operations (see sidebar on page 44). To date, however, the technology has struggled to gain ground. Back in 2010, thousands of megawatts of CSP projects were in the works, but that number was slowly pared down as developers of large utility-scale solar projects switched their technology from CSP to PV because of dropping PV panel prices. Nonetheless, today there are almost 12 GW of CSP projects in some form of development all over the globe and 2.7 GW of operating plants worldwide.
Worldwide Geographical Markets and Applications
CSP companies are targeting sun-drenched countries that have solar incentives on the books, said Mason. She said traditional oil-producing countries are "investing heavily in CSP to free up their oil for sale." In addition, she said SkyFuel is targeting "all markets with incentives for CSP" and named Italy, Turkey, the United States, India, China, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, South Africa, and Chile" as good examples of such markets.
Areva Solar is also targeting the MENA (Middle Eastern and North Africa) countries. According to Jayesh Goyal, Global Vice President at Areva Solar, India will play a big role in CSP adoption, as well. "Like Saudi Arabia and other progressive energy markets, India is a global leader in its commitment to the advancement of the solar energy industry, including CSP," he said. India's National Solar Mission calls for the country to install 20 GW of solar energy by 2020. In addition to Areva's 250-MW plant, Goyal said that there are "two more RFP's in India expected this year for a total of 300 MW of new capacity."
"We have our eye on a number of promising markets," said John Van Scoter, President and CEO at eSolar. With GE as a partner, eSolar has muscle behind its technology, and Van Scoter said that the company has been "active in promoting Integrated Solar Combined Cycle (ISCC) projects in major markets." The technology allows a power plant to generate solar power when the sun is shining but switch over to natural gas or coal when solar power can't be produced. "Interest for the ISCC technology has been strong from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Turkey and Australia," he said. Hybrid plants such as these are able to provide firm, dispatchable power, explained Van Scoter, which increases its attractiveness to utilities and "improves CSP's cost competitiveness," he added. Areva's Goyal agreed, explaining that his company is installing its Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector (CLFR) solar steam generators at a coal plant in Australia. He said that the CLFR technology would increase plant output by up to 44 MW and do so at a lower cost than building a standalone 44-MW plant.
CSP technology can also be coupled with energy storage, one of the hottest topics in the renewable energy industry this year. Plants that include energy storage with molten salt can store solar power and dispatch it in the early evening and into the night. Tex Wilkins from the CSP Alliance thinks this application could make PV, which is often viewed as a threat to CSP, a complimentary technology. "The ability of CSP with storage to dispatch its power to the grid in the early morning and evening can combine with daytime PV to spread out the use of solar power from the time people get up early in the morning until they go to bed late at night," he explained. Wilkins said that in five years most CSP plants will include energy storage. Van Scoter from eSolar said in five years he expects that most CSP projects will include molten salt or ISCC technology. "There is also a high potential for projects involving industrial process heat, EOR and desalination," he said.
All CSP experts said that utilities are just beginning to recognize CSP's value - a renewable energy able to provide base load, dispatchable power. According to SkyFuel's Mason, "This attribute of CSP is its main differentiator from PV and wind, and will ensure its increasing uptake in the power market

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