The Archimede concentrating solar power (CSP) plant is a first-of-a-kind plant that was developed by Enel with the goal of demonstrating, at an industrial scale, parabolic trough collectors operating with molten salt working fluid and direct thermal energy storage (TES) integrated into a combined cycle plant using high temperature steam. This integrated solar combined cycle (ISCC) project, located in Sicily, Italy, is integrated with Enel’s 760-MWe Priolo Gargallo natural gas combined cycle power station. It includes two molten-salt storage tanks capable of providing 80 MWht (approximately seven hours) of TES capacity.
The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) engaged in a supplemental research project, Field Assessment and Optimization of the Enel Archimede Concentrating Solar Power Plant. The objective was to gain firsthand knowledge in designing and maintaining CSP plants, based on the experience and lessons learned at Enel’s Archimede CSP plant, to reduce future CSP project risk through design and performance optimization. To achieve this objective, the project included a number of tasks: (1) an independent field assessment of the Enel Archimede CSP plant, including a review of project design, construction, commissioning, operation and performance, and identification of lessons learned along the way; (2) field testing of advanced components and working fluids to identify potential improvements for plant performance and maintenance; (3) a review of operation and maintenance (O&M) practices at the Archimede CSP plant and other existing CSP plants; (4) an overview of other CSP-hybrid plants under construction and in operation today; and (5) a techno-economic evaluation of various ISCC plant configurations.
This report provides a summary of the results from these efforts, and references the more detailed reports related to these tasks. In addition, it highlights related reports developed through simultaneous EPRI efforts that are also available to project members.