Helping the client to build the largest parabolic trough plant in the southern hemisphere and the first in Africa.
The Situation
The client wanted to build a 100 MW concentrated solar power (CSP) plant, with parabolic trough collector (PTC) technology with a molten salts thermal energy storage (TES) system. The plant is located in the Northern Cape province of South Africa.
The plant uses PTC technology and works by tracking the sun from east to west, concentrating the direct irradiance and converting it into thermal energy. The thermal energy is transferred through a closed Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF) circuit to produce steam, which drives a 100 MW steam turbine. The electricity generated is transmitted through a high voltage substation and exported to the grid.
The plant development included a thermal energy storage system that allowed extending the electricity generation after sunset, the equivalent of 2.5 hrs at nominal capacity.
The main systems were:
- Solar field comprising 1200 parabolic trough collectors and their components: mirrors, absorber tubes and trackers
- HTF System
- Thermal energy storage (TES) with indirect 2-tank molten-salt storage
- Solar steam generator (SSG)
- Steam turbine, 100 MW nominal capacity
- Air cooled condenser
- Balance of plant systems
- Electrical systems
- Control and instrumentation
- Civil works
Approach
Advisian’s scope included owner's engineer and technical advisory services for the construction of the plant including:
Technical support during the entire project execution process particularly on Contract management, claim management, scheduling, connection to the grid, performance tests and plant acceptance tests
- HSE support
- Entire review of detailed engineering
- Construction and commissioning supervision
This is the largest parabolic trough plant in the southern hemisphere and the first to be built in Africa. It can provide 2.5 hours of molten salt thermal storage.
Results
Since the project involved a large installation team at remote location, our team’s local know-how was invaluable to keep on time and schedule. Additionally, the Advisian (WorleyParsons Group)’s safety systems were integrated and utilised as part of the project to improve the site safety performance.
