RayGen Resources, VIC has paved the way for the deployment of utility-scale CSPV power stations in Australia and overseas with the unveiling of a concentrated solar photovoltaic (CSPV) power tower.
ARENA CEO Ivor Frischknecht congratulated RayGen Resources on the $3.6 million pre-commercial pilot project, which was supported by $1.7 million funding from ARENA.
“The grid-connected power station is operational and will supply 200 kilowatts to a local agriculture business,” Mr Frischknecht said.
“RayGen has already received international orders for the technology, which has the potential to reduce the cost of solar-based electricity.
“This is a great example of how ARENA support has helped deliver valuable Australian IP with the potential to create exports and hundreds of new jobs.”
Mr Frischknecht said the completion of the pilot project marked a significant milestone and would help advance a more affordable and flexible energy future for Australia.
“RayGen’s CSPV technology uses an array of sun-tracking heliostat mirrors to focus sunlight onto a very efficient central receiver” Mr Frischknecht said.
“The receiver converts a high proportion of sunlight to power while an advanced cooling system keeps it from overheating.
“The technology requires a smaller amount of space per kilowatt of capacity compared to existing concentrating solar thermal technologies.
“The pilot plant is providing data on performance, reliability, operations and maintenance that can be used for the development of a commercial scale CSPV system.
“These outcomes will be shared with the broader energy industry to help break down the barriers that are facing the advancement of CSPV.
“There are also links with the ARENA-supported record-breaking ‘Power Cube’ that achieved more than 40 per cent efficiency last year and was developed by the University of New South Wales in collaboration with RayGen.
“With further development, RayGen could potentially take the PowerCube technology from the laboratory into the field for future CSPV plants.”
