201802_Renewable Energy

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The Challenges and the SolutionsThe latest dish, SG4, was completed in June 2009, and since then a great deal of effort and research by Mr. Burgess and others has gone into fine-tuning the solar tracking, sourcing computer, and communication components, testing optical performance, and installing and testing the first steam generating receiver. Yokogawa has worked closely with these researchers to optimize the performance of this system by providing a PLC SCADA system that computes the precise position of the sun to ensure millimeter perfect tracking of the sun. The system also includes safety features that, for example, will put the dish into a “parked” position at night and before storms to prevent damage from high winds.As new units are constructed at this ANU facility, the plan is to employ Yokogawa’s new HXS10 controller as a cost-effective means to automatically track the sun and ensure maximum efficiency of the solar reflecting dish.Field operation center FAST/TOOLSCustomer SatisfactionDr. Lovegrove explained, “As a clean energy source, solar energy is a natural complement to wind and based on our climate is more available and provides most of the energy when you need it.”“As an example, in a large system with an array of dishes all feeding steam to a single efficient large steam turbine, each dish of this size would contribute the production of more than 100 kW when operating at full efficiency in full sunlight. Roughly speaking, up to 100 advanced energy-efficient homes could be powered by every dish. A solar field with the size of the Australian capital Territory (ACT) could power the entire country.”“The medium-term goal for the concentrating solar technologies is to make electricity for about the same cost as wind, which is currently around 10-12 cents a kilowatt/hour. While that’s around double the cost of conventional coal-fired power stations, it may prove to be cheaper than adding carbon capture and storage to existing coal-fired power stations.”“Of course, the ultimate energy economics will be influenced by ruling government policy, with any moves to tax carbon impacting on fossil fuel power stations and tipping the economics more in favor of alternate energy sources in the future.”“We are very happy with the high reliability of Yokogawa’s system. This is very important to keep our solar plant running 24/365. Also, our engineers can easily configure the system at any-time. FAST/TOOLS benefits us in many ways and allows us to clearly see the entire process, giving us the information we need to take immediate action.”Left to right: Mark Biggin, Yokogawa Australia;Mr. Burgess, ANU: Dr. Lovegrove, ANUSuccess Story Collection4Australian National University / Australia