Why Solar Thermal ?
Managing climate change will require countries to transition from fossil fuels to renewables. Australia has begun its transition, but is still highly reliant on fossil fuels for electricity generation, particularly overnight.
The cheapest forms of renewable energy, namely solar PV and wind, are variable - so the amount of energy they can produce depends on the amount of sunlight or the strength of the wind. This creates a number of problems:
The Challenge
The Solution
Electricity systems need a firm and stable supply of electricity to meet the 24/7 demand of households and businesses.
Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) can provide a firm and stable supply of renewable electricity overnight - from sunset to sunrise.
Solar PV and wind cannot provide the nighttime stability required to meet Australia’s needs.
CSP concentrates the daytime heat energy from the sun, which is then stored and used to produce multiple-hours of renewable electricity overnight.
Coal fired power plants currently meet most of Australia’s need for firm and stable supply of electricity, particularly overnight.
CSP’s long-duration thermal energy storage (TES) is used to run a steam turbine in the same way as that used at a coal-fired power plant, and is 100% renewable.
Battery storage linked to Solar PV and wind can address some of the problem, but batteries are only cost effective for several hours, and are cost prohibitive for overnight requirements.
CSP can displace all forms of fossil fired generation outside of daytime hours - which is the missing piece in Australia’s low emission, high penetration renewable energy future.
On-Demand Renewable Energy
CSP systems convert sunlight into multiple hours of thermal energy storage (TES). This energy is then used at a later time to generate power, meaning CSP can dispatch power overnight, or at anytime during the day when there is insufficient sun or wind.
CSP is used to complement Solar PV and wind as part of an integrated low-cost energy system. Solar PV and wind, with several hours of battery storage, can provide low-cost renewable power during the day, with CSP providing firm and secure power overnight when the sun has stopped shining and the wind is intermittent. This integrated system will deliver the lowest aggregate cost to consumers, while maintaining system security and reliability, with zero emissions.
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Zero Emissions
Long-Duration
Energy Storage
Dispatchable
And Reliable
Cost-Effective
Scalable
Criteria
energy storage
Pumped Hydro
Wind/PV + Battery
CSP
Zero Emissions
Long-Duration
Energy Storage
Dispatchable
And Reliable
Cost-Effective
Scalable
Criteria
energy storage
Pumped Hydro
Battery
CSP
Australia’s Future Energy Supply
Australia can produce more solar energy per m2 than any other country in the world. We have the solar resource, it’s just a matter of storing it.
Solar PV can be coupled with batteries to provide a storage solution, but these battery systems are only cost effective for several hours of energy storage. CSP is one of only a few technology options that offers long-duration (12-15 hours) intra-day renewable energy storage that is emissions-free. Pumped Hydro is another option, but it relies on stored water which is scarce and unreliable beyond our coastal mountain ranges. We need access to a technology that complements solar PV and wind, by providing a source of firm, secure, long-duration power generation overnight. CSP is the renewable option that delivers the lowest cost, emissions-free overnight power generation, and allows the removal of coal and gas from the grid.
The sun falling on 1% of Australia’s landmass (75,000Km2) provides enough energy to meet 30 times Australia’s electricity needs.
AEMO’s 2022 ISP highlights that coal fired-power generation assets are exiting the market sooner than expected, creating a gap in firm and stable power generation, particularly overnight.
Generating renewable power overnight, to replace coal fired power plants, will require significant investment in energy storage.
In countries with high solar radiation like Australia, CSP is one of the most cost effective forms of longer duration energy storage for renewable power generation overnight.
Solar Thermal Globally
Solar Thermal is being deployed at scale in sunny countries around the world.
111
24/7
8-17 HRS
70 GW
USA
1731 MW installed capacity
Morocco
533 MW installed capacity
800 MW in development
China
1081 MW installed capacity
400 MW in development
Australia
30 MW in development
Middle East
477 MW installed capacity
743 MW in development
Our Partners
Australian organisations are working together to solve the challenge of 24/7 carbon-free energy at scale.
Media
Media Releases, Policy and Research
Capacity Investment Scheme a Positive Step Towards Renewables Generating Overnight Electricity, says AUSTELA
Spokesman for the Australian Solar Thermal Industry Association (AUSTELA), Dr Keith Lovegrove, has welcomed the Energy Ministers’ announcement of a Capacity Investment Scheme which has the potential to address the lack of long-duration storage for renewable energy.
AUSTELA Releases 'Solar At Night' Energy Market Policy Brief: Renewable energy policy must incentivise and reward projects based on MWh capacity, not simply MW.
Australia’s future energy system requires a substantial increase in long-duration renewable storage but it must be measured in megawatt/hours for it to strengthen the electricity grid, according to the Australian Solar Thermal Energy Association (AUSTELA).
Solar at Night
Solar at night Director of the Australian Solar Thermal Research Institute, Dominic Zaal, offers a deep dive into the capabilities of concentrated solar thermal technology, including what has been proven by global projects so far and how the all important Power Purchasing Agreements stack up.
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Contact Us
We’re building relationships with partners around Australia who are committed to proving the utility and industrial scalability of concentrated solar thermal power, and the crucial role the technology plays in our net zero future.
