Concentrating Solar Power

ISCC (Integrated Solar Combined Cycle)

ISCC technology combines the benefits of solar energy with the benefits of a combined cycle. The solar resource partially substitutes the fossil fuel.
The solar field is based on parabolic trough technology, clean, mature and tracked records that proves the technology to be installed at a large scale.

Introduction to Technology

Solar combined cycle hybrid plants are supported by the attractive configuration offered by conventional plants with combined cycle.

Conventional Combined Cycle

A conventional combined cycle plant is formed by a gas turbine, a heat retriever, and a steam turbine. In the case of the ISCC solar hybrid plant, solar energy is used as auxiliary energy that will allow increasing cycle’s yield, and reducing emissions.

Solar Combined Cycle

The operation of a solar combined hybrid plant is similar to the one of a conventional combined cycle plant. The fuel (preferably natural gas) is burned generally on a combustion chamber of a gas turbine. The heat coming from the solar field is added to escape gases that direct to the heat retriever, resulting on an increase of steam generation and, consequently, an increase on electricity production on the steam turbine.

Solar Field Requirements

To install solar combined cycle hybrid plants, there are certain requirements, such as:

Topography: the site needs to be level, preferably with a slope less than 1%
Irradiation: the direct normal insolation (DNI) should be a high as possible
Water Availability: water is needed for cooling in the power block
Electric Transmission: electric lines and transmission capacity are needed to convey solar power from the plant to the consumer

Land Requirements for 100 MW Plants (10% Solar)

The following table shows the total surface needed to construct an installation. Besides area data needed (acres - hectares), width (x en ft) and length (y in ft) of the rectangular area.