Applications
Applicable in over 30 markets worldwide – providing low cost 24/7 off-grid dispatchable energy for industries, agriculture, data centres, smart cities, mining operations and production of green hydrogen, water and ammonia.
Green Electrical Power
Concentrated solar power (CSP) is a form of renewable energy that harnesses the power of the sun to produce clean, sustainable energy. CSP works by using mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight onto a small area, generating heat that can then be used to produce electricity or provide heat for industrial processes.
One of the key advantages of CSP is that it is a highly sustainable form of energy. Unlike fossil fuels, which are finite and carbon releasing. CSP solutions stretch back hundreds of years, and with each generation, innovation has followed. The 5th Generation ASC Solar Concentrators has addressed known issues with efficiency in previous solutions to provide consistent temperatures (up to 1,200 deg. c) industrial heat and high efficiency electrical power generation via steam turbines. By utilising inexpensive thermal storage systems, we can provide either industrial heat or electrical power generation 24/7.
The sun's energy is a constant and renewable resource that can be harnessed without producing harmful greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, the use of CSP can help reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change, making it a vital tool in the fight against global warming. Another benefit of CSP is its versatility. CSP can be used in a wide range of applications, from small-scale off-grid power generation to large-scale industrial processes. In addition, CSP can be combined with other forms of renewable energy, such as wind or geothermal power, to create hybrid systems that can provide consistent, reliable power even in challenging conditions. This makes CSP an ideal solution for communities and industries seeking to reduce their carbon footprint and achieve energy independence. Overall, CSP is a sustainable, versatile, and effective form of renewable energy that has the potential to revolutionise the way we generate power and meet our energy needs. With continued investment and innovation, CSP has the potential to play a key role in building a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable future for all.
How Do We Size The Project?
Every ASC CSP project is unique. The energy produced per ASC varies depending on two factors:
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1. The sites Direct Normal Irradiation (DNI) varies significantly around the world. To check your location, use this tool https://globalsolaratlas.info/. The higher the DNI, the better the economics; if your location has a DNI higher than 5 kwh/m2 per day, this will be optimal.
2. The size of the electrical power output per hour. Steam turbines convert the thermal energy to electrical. Generally, the larger the output the more efficient the steam cycle efficiency. The higher the efficiency the more productive each ASC will be. See example below.
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Each ASC-15 has a nominal capacity of 135kWth. This is a constant.
Although the kWth is constant per ASC-15, the thermal energy captured varies with level of DNI. For instance, with a local DNI of 9kWh/m2 per day, each ASC can capture 1,190.7 kWth per day or 49.6 kWth per hour;
The electrical power is variable depending on the Steam Cycle Efficiency of the turbine converting the thermal energy into electrical.
The higher the power output on the turbine, the higher the efficiency.
The efficiency ranges from 28% to 47%.
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Example below:
For more information on how we deliver 24 hour, dispatchable heat and power, contact us
Green Industrial Heat
Industrial heat applications are a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, it is estimated (University of California, 2017) that as much as 18% of global emissions are directly linked to these applications, which in turn are contributing to global warming and climate change.
The use of fossil fuels for industrial processes results in air and water pollution, carbon emissions, and habitat destruction.
The globally patented 5th generation ASC CSP solution is a green and sustainable alternative that produces zero carbon emissions, uses comparably less water and land resources to other CSP/PV solutions, and can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of industrial processes. By adopting our CSP system, industries can roll-out a reliable, 24/7 solution, mitigate the environmental impacts of their operations and contribute to global efforts to combat climate change all whilst securing heat at a known cost for the next 30+ years against a backdrop of increasing fossil fuel prices and taxes.
Business sense and environmental sense, all in one package.
​Green Energy Storage
Solar PV and wind farms have made great strides as a source of sustainable green energy at scale. However, such energy sources continue to face two key challenges:
Intermittency - There are no guarantees the sun will shine, or the wind will blow at a speed the turbines can use.
24/7 operations - PV has developed over the past 30 years to provide inexpensive daytime electrical power. The challenge with PV is it's incredibly expensive to store electricity at scale in batteries or BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems).
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That raises the question, what can you do at night. PV has been paired with BESS, which in effect are large Lithium Iron (or derivative there of) packs. There are three main draw backs to BESS:
1. Cost - Typically at scale BESS systems can cost more that $120 per mWh which is expensive.
2. Duration - BESS systems typically release there charge over a 4 to 6 hour window. So still not typically 24 hour supply.
3. Disposal - Currently the cost of recycling BESS systems far out strips the value of the materials extracted. Consequently, PV and BESS systems are predominantly consigned to landfill.
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PV is typically used to top up the grid during the day and non renewable energy utilised at night.
How Does ASC-WE Solve The Storage Problem?
ASC - WE and our partners have studied existing CSP technologies and looked at the reasons those solutions have failed to have mass adoption. See Why 5th Gen CSP and developed fixes for each of those challenges.
Why did we pursue CSP over other renewable energy solutions?
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Simple answer, STORAGE.
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Benefits of Thermal Storage over Electrical Storage:
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1. Cost - Heat can be stored for long periods of time with little losses. It can also be stored in many different mediums. Molten Salts, Thermal Oils, Sand, Rocks etc. No rare earth materials or expensive fabrication.
2. Dispatchability - Heat can be stored overnight and extracted to create steam throughout the nigh to supply a turbine. We can gather energy during the day and create electrical power 24 hours a day, unlike batteries which are limited to 4 to 6 hours only.
How Do We Store Energy To Produce 24Hrs a Day?
Below is a depiction of the daytime charging and nighttime discharging cycles. During the day, approximately 2/3 of the heated Molten Salt is stored for use at night, and approximately 1/3 is used during the day to produce high pressure steam for power production. The temperatures indicated on the schematic are indicative, they are project dependent.
Below is a typical arrangement of Hot and Cold storage tanks.
Green Desalinated Water
Utilising green energy produced by a unique and patented CSP technology is an innovative and sustainable solution for creating clean electrical energy to power desalination plants 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. With the ability to concentrate sunlight to generate heat, our 5th generation CSP technology can provide consistent and reliable energy, even in areas with high levels of cloud cover or reduced sunlight. This makes it an ideal solution for powering desalination plants, which require a constant and reliable source of energy to operate.​​
The use of green energy to power desalination plants has numerous benefits, including reducing the reliance on fossil fuels and promoting sustainable development. By utilizing renewable energy sources such as CSP, we can reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the impact of climate change, while providing a vital source of fresh water to communities and industries.
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Furthermore, the integration of CSP and desalination technology can lead to greater energy efficiency and cost savings. Traditional desalination methods rely on fossil fuels to power the process, which can be both expensive and environmentally damaging. By using green energy produced by CSP technology, desalination plants can reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and lower their operating costs, leading to greater efficiency and sustainability.
In summary, the use of green energy produced by a unique and patented CSP technology to power desalination plants is a highly sustainable and effective solution for meeting the growing demand for fresh water while reducing the impact of climate change. With its ability to provide consistent and reliable energy, even in challenging conditions, CSP technology is poised to revolutionize the way we generate power and meet our water needs, creating a more sustainable and equitable future for all.