10-MWE SOLAR THERMAL CENTRAL RECEIVER PILOT PLANT, OPERATIONAL TEST MANAGEMENT PLAN

ABSTRACT:
Introduction - The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Associates (composed of Southern California Edison Company which acts as principal, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and the California Energy Commission) have entered into a Cooperative Agreement to design, construct,

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·and operate a central receiver power plant as a viable source of energy. l The Pilot Plant consists of a field of 1818 computer-controlled mirrors (heliostats) that reflect the sun's energy to a t0wer-mounted receiver. At the receiver, water is converted into superheated steam. The plant is designed to generate 10 MWe net for delivery to the Southern California Edison {SCE) electric power grid with steam directly from the receiver {1465 psia and 950°F). When delivered through a thermal storage system, the steam is capable of driving the turbine-generator to produce 7 MWe net for a period of at least four hours. The Cooperative Agreement between DOE and the Associates calls for a five-year operational test period scheduled to begin in mid-1982. It is generally agreed by the parties that this test period will consist of an approximately 2-year experimental test and evaluation phase followed by a three-year power production phase. The experimental test phase will provide operational experience in all the operational modes, measure plant performance, and establish stable controlled operation of the Pilot Plant. This phase will be governed primarily by the needs of technology development rather than by a desire to optimize the plant solely for total power production. The subsequent power production phase will primarily demonstrate the operational capability of the Pilot Plant to supply electrical power.

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