The limited supply of fossilhydrocarbon resources and thenegative impact of CO2 emissionson the global environment dictate theincreasing usage of renewable energysources. Concentrated solar power(CSP) is the most likely candidate forproviding the majority of this renewableenergy, because it is amongst the mostcost-effective renewable electricitytechnologies and because its supply isnot restricted if the energy generated istransported from the world's solar belt tothe population centres.Three main technologies have beenidentified during the past decades forgenerating electricity in the 10 kW toseveral 1000 MW range: q dish/engine technology, which candirectly generate electricity inisolated locationsq parabolic trough technology, whichproduces high pressuresuperheated steamq solar tower technology whichproduces air above 1000°C orsynthesis gas for gas turbineoperation.While these technologies have reacheda certain maturity, as has beendemonstrated in pilot projects in Israel,Spain and the USA, significantimprovements in the thermo-hydraulicperformance are still required if suchinstallations are to achieve the reliabilityand effectiveness of conventionalpower plants. This first article focuseson present CSP technologies, theirhistory and the state of the art. Thesecond article, in the next issue ofIn gen ia, looks at the technical,environmental, social and economicissues relating to CSP in the future. ingenia1HANS MÜLLER-STEINHAGEN,FRENG AND FRANZ TRIEBINSTITUTE OF TECHNICALTHERMODYNAMICS, GERMANAEROSPACE CENTRE, STUTTGART,GERMANYSECTIONConcentratingsolar pow erA reviewof the technologyIs solar power the answer to theever-growing problems of globalwarming and depleting fossil fuelsupplies? In the first of two articlesHans Müller-Steinhagen and FranzTr...
