Page 120 - Design of Solar Thermal Power Plants

106 2. THE SOLAR RESOURCE AND METEOROLOGICAL PARAMETERS

FIGURE 2.16 Surface of heliostat after Blizzard (Badaling, Beijing).

FIGURE 2.17 Parabolic dish concentrator and solar furnace after Blizzard (Badaling,
Beijing).

2.8.5 Designed Wind Speed and Ambient Air Temperature

Wind and ambient air temperature are major indices that influence
effective power generating hours and the efficiency of CSP generation and
the reliability of equipment operation. Currently, working wind speed
during CSP generation concentrator design normally has a value of 14 m/s
(force 6 wind). The working ambient air temperature of a power plant
built in the Gobi deserts of China falls in the range of 30 to 40 C.

As western areas of China have greater wind speeds, determining the
maximum working wind speed of a concentrator involves a major factor
influencing primary investment and system running time. Along with
increases in maximum working wind speed, concentrator costs increase;