USE OF CONCENTRATED SOLAR POWER AS LOW/ZERO CARBON TECHNOLOGY IN ENGLAND
Executive Summary
Sustainable energy is a resource that cannot be depleted; however, are supportive of the ecosystem. However, with an increase in emission of pollution in surrounding energy sources is leading to a destructive path. Carbon emissions are affecting human lives by replacing it with oxygen present in the surroundings. As a result, breathing has become a key concern. Therefore, the purpose of this report is to suggest effective technology that produces low or zero amounts of carbon. The investigation analyses the use of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technologies in the country England. Even though several schemes like Renewable Obligation Certificate Scheme and Feed-in Tariffs are launched. Still, it is necessary to gather the current state and its applications in the region. Therefore, the report has defined Concentrated Solar Power (CSP), and it’s usage in context with England. The report covered CSP technology and provided an in-depth investigation of the topic thoroughly. Furthermore, the investigation included an overview of solar power, types, background, and use of CSP in the UK like current state, impact, technical developments, costs, barriers, opportunities.
Table of Contents
Low/Zero Carbon Energy Technology. 4
Concentrated Solar Power (CSP). 4
Variations in CSP Technologies. 4
Use of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) in England, UK. 4
The current state of the technology. 4
Impact on the energy system and other fuels. 4
Technical developments, now and into the future. 4
Barriers and opportunities (including costs). 4
A personal view on the technology, based on the evidence. 4
Introduction
Energy is an important aspect to provide sustainability for society’s preciously well beings of humans. Without energy, mainstream facilities are impossible for production and delivery as it offers economic, social, and environmental development to a country [1]. Thus, the requirement of energy is increasing and in-demand day-by-day. According to statistical records, world energy demand grows by 45% from the year 2015-2030 and more than 300 % until the century is over [2]. With such rapid demand, energy generation has become a huge responsibility for governments. However, the production of energy produces carbon emissions resulting in the corruption of surroundings. Electricity generation produces 43.5% global CO2 emission of 950 grams for each Kilowatt-hour of energy [3]. Therefore, the world needs to accept the fact that alternative energy sources are capable of controlling carbon emissions.
The low/zero carbon technology will not only produce energy; however, it will save surroundings from suffering. Further, it offers storage mechanisms for saving energy in one place. Hence, this aim of this investigation is to analyze the usage of low carbon energy technology in the region. England is a vast country and is chosen as a prime region for investigation. Concentrated Solar Power is chosen technology that uses lens and mirror to transfer the area of sunlight into the beam [4].
This report strategically defines the investigative topic on ‘Concentrated Solar Power.’ Firstly, the term low/zero-carbon energy technology is identified, followed by the concept of solar power and its types. Next, CSP technology and the working process is explored in brief. Furthermore, variations in three types of CSP technologies are also provided in the section. Additionally, the usage and application for CSP in country England are discussed. In this section, the current state of technology, impact, technical developments, as well as barriers and opportunities for CSP, is covered. Lastly, perception for the usage of Concentrated Solar power is provided with substantial improvements. Therefore, the report is organized as per technology and its application in a specific region of the UK successfully.
Low/Zero Carbon Energy Technology
The carbon emissions are produced due to energy resources production resulting from coal-fired mines. Furthermore, due to such emission, the environment becomes more pollution oriented. Therefore, it is important to analyze the effective control mechanism for reducing such toxic levels. Low/Zero-carbon energy is a new term which proposes effective technologies so that energy could be recreated without CO2 emission. As per research studies, renewable energy sources develop almost 14% of the total world energy demand [5]. There are several technologies that produce low/zero carbon and have been implemented in the UK. BASF project was launched in 2007 under part of the Creative Energy Homes project to provide a home as per low carbon-oriented compartment [6]. Hence, it is important to conclude that such technologies are essential and could create a habitat that is pollution and toxin-free.
Solar Power
Solar Power is the energy that is generated from sunlight directly or by using different approaches. This section describes the use of solar power; it’s overview, and types effectively in context with England.
Overview
The use of solar power has been seen in different nations so that energy for electricity could be developed. For example, in Africa, it is utilized for different solar resources like water, air, and steam with the help of grid and off-grid solar photovoltaic [7]. Hence, countries are using this technology because of the potential for the near future. The solar power could be obtained through different methods divided as per demand and capability. Another study depicts that people are working to introduce such techniques in the industry of the UK, especially England.
Types
The industries are implementing different solar power types of technologies so that alternative to conventional energy sources could be brought effectively. England has also tried to adopt it due to being a developed nation and is able to import fossil fuels. There are two types of solar power technologies that are able to offer energy for electricity consumption. It could also remove fossil fuel consumption with an effective approach followed.
- Photovoltaic System (PV): Photovoltaic(PV) systems use solar panels, either on rooftops or in ground-mounted solar farms, converting sunlight directly into electric power. Furthermore, different companies have invented this technology under a thin, carbon-based, and flexible film. It is ten times lighter than traditional panels, can be bent into shapes and placed on curved surfaces, not changing the architectural design of buildings.
- Concentrated Solar Power (CSP): Concentrated Solar Power is a low/zero carbon technology that uses solar thermal energy for producing steam followed by electricity conversion. The focus of this investigative report will be the implementation of CSP in England. Why? Because PV systems have been implemented in the past and have available for quite some time. However, CSP is another sort of technology that must be investigated as per the country’s perspective.
Concentrated Solar Power (CSP)
Background
Concentrated sunlight-based force (CSP) or sun-powered warm frameworks use mirrors and focal points to think an enormous zone of normally accessible sun-based vitality, onto a little territory. The concentrated light emission can be utilized to produce the electric force once it is changed over into heat through a proficient usage of the thermodynamic cycle. The significant favorable position of CSP frameworks over other sunlight-based forces advances is their ability to give power even without the sun.
The fundamental qualities of sun-based force plants using CSP innovation are as per the following:
- High efficiencies can be accomplished in light of the fact that CSP innovation uses a thermodynamic cycle with high-temperature input.
- CSP innovation utilizes just the immediate segment of approaching sun oriented radiation. However, it suggests the loss of the diffused and reflected parts.
- CSP innovation requires the higher estimations of Direct Normal Irradiation
- Due to high capital expense, CSP innovation isn’t appropriate for little scale sunlight-based force plants.
Variations in CSP Technologies
There are different types of CSP technologies that could be implemented effectively. As per research, all types of technologies under CSP reduce carbon emissions very frequently and are better forms of renewable energy sources.
Parabolic Trough Systems:
In a parabolic trough CSP system, the sun’s energy is baked by way of parabolically curved, trough-shaped reflectors to a buyer pipe – the warmness absorber cylinder – strolling alongside in relation to a meter upstairs the tortuous surface of the mirrors. The fervor about the heat transfer liquid chain through the pipe, typically angry oil, is improved beyond 293ºC in conformity with 393ºC, yet the warmth power is after chronic into the thermal monitoring obstruction to create electrical energy of a conventional humidity generator. A tub solar collector area consists of a couple of parabolic trough-shaped mirrors between balance rows aligned in conformity with enabling these single-axis trough-shaped mirrors in accordance with the song the solar beyond front in imitation of the west in the course of the time in accordance with confirming that the sun is continuously targeted on the recipient pipes.
Power Tower Systems:
Power tower or central receiver systems utilize sun-tracking mirrors called heliostats to focus sunlight onto a receiver at the top of a tower. A heat transfer fluid heated in the receiver up to around 600ºC is used to generate steam, which, in turn, is used in a conventional turbine-generator to produce electricity.
Linear Fresnel Systems:
Similar to the long arrays of a parabolic trough CSP system, a Linear concentrating collector field consists of a large number of collectors in parallel rows. These are typically aligned in a north-south orientation to maximize annual and summer energy collection. The mirrors are laid flat on the ground and reflect the sunlight to the pipe above. Like trough and tower, Fresnel can also incorporate storage in a power block, or generate steam for direct use.
Parabolic Dish Systems:
A Parabolic dish system consists of a parabolic-shaped point focus concentrator in the form of a dish that reflects solar radiation onto a receiver mounted at the focal point. These concentrators are mounted on a structure with a two-axis tracking system to follow the sun. The collected heat is typically utilized directly by a heat engine mounted on the receiver moving with the dish structure. The dish can attain extremely high temperatures and holds promise for use in solar reactors for making solar fuels, which require very high temperatures. Stirling and Brayton cycle engines are currently favored for power conversion, although the dish has been seldom deployed commercially for power generation.
Use of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) in England, UK
The current state of the technology.
Impact on the energy system and other fuels.
Technical developments, now and into future.
Barriers and opportunities (including costs).
A personal view on the technology, based on the evidence
Conclusion
References
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