SPECIAL NOTICE
A -- Novel Systems, Designs, and Controls for Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) Using a Falling Particle Receiver
- Notice Date
- 5/22/2018
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 54171
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life SciencesT
- Contracting Office
- Department of Energy, Sandia Corp. (DOE Contractor), Sandia National Laboratories, PO Box 5800, MS: 0115, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87185
- ZIP Code
- 87185
- Solicitation Number
- 17_483
- Archive Date
- 6/27/2018
- Point of Contact
- Debi Hudgens,
- E-Mail Address
-
dhudgen@sandia.gov
(dhudgen@sandia.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Background Information: Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) is a renewable energy technology with the advantage of thermal energy storage for dispatchable electricity production. Current renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaics (PVs) and wind, suffer from the lack of sufficient and cost-effective means for energy storage. Storage in battery systems can be quite costly, with limited capacity. And relying on innate supply and demand, rather than storage, of power from PV and wind does not work well; there is a relatively low demand in mid-day with high supply (which results in overgeneration by the supplier) and a very high demand in the evening with insufficient supply. CSP is advantageous because it provides a reliable, efficient, and inexpensive means of energy production and storage. CSP technology employing particle receivers works by reflecting and concentrating solar rays from a series of mirrors, or heliostats, to a location in the aperture of a large tower (the "receiver"). Within the receiver, a stream of particles fall through the beam of concentrated sunlight and increase in temperature. The particles can then be stored for future use in a "hot tank" or can immediately go through a heat-exchange process with water thereby creating steam to run a turbine and generate electricity. Other working fluids and power cycles may also be used. Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) has been working in the field of CSP for over 40 years, with some of the deepest expertise, globally, in this area. SNL has recently filed a suite of intellectual property (IP) in the area of CSP that can improve falling particle receiver systems by controlling the particle flow and mitigating particle and heat losses, thereby improving efficiency and translating to significant gains at a CSP facility. Available Intellectual Property: 1)SD#14070 - "Systems and Methods for Shielding Falling Particles within a Solar Thermal Falling Particle Receiver" Particle loss from the receiver can occur due to effects of wind and environmental factors. This application describes wind deflectors of appropriate material and size that can withstand high temperatures and mitigate particle, heat, and radiative losses. Further, these panels can be reflective, transparent, and/or adjusted in real-time to compensate for varying wind directions and speeds, either manually or through sensors that provide a feedback loop to make automatic adjustments. 2)SD#14032 - "Mass Flow Control for Particle Receivers" Controlled mass flow of particles through the receiver is necessary to achieve the desired outlet temperatures for optimal performance, even during changing solar irradiance caused by clouds. This control becomes even more imperative as the CSP facility becomes larger (i.e. greater megawatt output). Herein, a novel gating mechanism is utilized to control particle flow, with a feedback system to modulate flow in order maintain the desired outlet temperature. 3)SD#13934 - "Multi-Stage Falling Particle Receivers" In order to mitigate particle loss and control particle acceleration, for optimal efficiency, a multi-stage receiver system can be implemented. In this system the particles are intermittently collected and released in a series of troughs or funnels to reduce the vertical dispersion of the particles caused by gravitational acceleration, thereby increasing the opacity of the particle stream and the heating efficiency of the particles. The intermittent stages of collection and release also help to reduce horizontal particle dispersion and loss through the receiver. Technology Highlights: •Reduced Particle Loss for Environmental and Cost Benefit •Increased Efficiency for Greater Power Output •Improved Systems that are Translatable to Larger Commercial CSP Plants •Automated Feedback Control to Maximize Efficiency Opportunity Description: SNL is seeking partners to further develop and commercialize these CSP technologies. Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) and Licensing Agreements are available. Sandia invites interested parties to provide a detailed description of relevant background, experience, expertise, and capabilities that could be brought into a collaborative partnership with Sandia. Specific requirements are as follows: Mandatory Requirements: 1)Companies with demonstrated expertise to bring products or services to market. 2)Company with financial means to assist with intellectual property costs in countries of interest. Desired Requirements: 1)Demonstrated experience, expertise, and capabilities in renewable energy. 2)Demonstrated successful partnering and teaming relationships with R&D organizations. In addition to evaluating the provided information as outlined above, Sandia will evaluate all responses and select prospective parties with which to engage in further discussions based on the following criteria, pursuant to Sandia's technology transfer mission: 1)How will the respondent deploy the technology for the benefit of the public good? 2)How will the respondent's deployment of the technology benefit U.S. economic competitiveness? Primary Point of Contact: Debi Hudgens Licensing Executive Sandia National Laboratories dhudgen@sandia.gov Keywords: Concentrating Solar Power Particle Receiver Renewable Energy Solar Energy
- Web Link
-
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- Record
- SN04931028-W 20180524/180522231050-9e35d611362b40573e68ffaa1c5470f9 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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