In a CSP tower setup, a bed of sun-seeking mirrors called heliostats reflect the sun’s energy onto a receiver at the top of a central tower. The heat transfer fluid in this case is heated even hotter than in a trough system, up to roughly 600ºC. As with the trough system, the thermal energy generated is either stored or used to generate power using conventional steam turbines.

These CSP systems consist of parabolic reflectors that concentrate light onto linear receivers. The receivers are positioned exactly in the middle of the parabola and contain oil that is heated by sunlight to almost 400 degrees to power the generator. The reflectors incorporate trackers so that the system follows the sun for maximum exposure.

CSP systems such as these offer numerous advantages. They have no negative impact on the environment, harnessing the sun’s virtually limitless energy to generate 100% renewable electricity. 

They are carbon-free and highly efficient with low operating costs. They can be scaled to generate large capacity (100MW+) and they offer increasingly high levels of thermal storage.

On-demand power availability is a primary consideration in energy market supply. Through molten salts, which account for more than 75% of the world’s thermal storage, plants like those being developed and expanded by PGST and its partners are able to deliver energy when it is needed most.