The solar power tower in Almería in southern Spain is surrounded by an array of mirrors that reflect and focus the solar radiation onto three solar receivers. A solar hybrid gas turbine is also included in the tower at the research facility. The three receivers, which are connected in series, gradually heat the compressor air for the 250-kilowatt gas turbine to 800 °C.
Scientists at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) have for the first time successfully put into operation a solar hybrid gas turbine that uses concentrated solar radiation and biodiesel. The turbine’s combustion chamber is switched on when required. Fuelled by biodiesel, it ensures the constant provision of electrical energy, irrespective of the time of day and the weather conditions. The research objectives of this project were to adapt the combustion chamber of the gas turbine for this purpose and to establish how the injection of the biofuel can be regulated. In principle, both gaseous and liquid biofuels can be used in such plants.
Based on these test results, the scientists are testing a commercial 100-kilowatt micro gas turbine in a second project phase. In the medium term, it is planned to construct a demonstration plant with an output of around five megawatts near Seville.
