"The heat generated as a byproduct from the receiver is used to warm the water in the hot pit, while the electricity from the receiver runs a chiller to cool the water in the other.
" When energy must be dispensed from the plant’s storage, the temperature difference between the two pits’ water drives an organic Rankine cycle turbine.
“The turbine’s working fluid — ammonia — is evaporated by the hot water to turn the turbine and generate electricity.”
Fascinating indeed!
Interesting. At some point CSP plants stopped generating in the US, because it was not financially viable - and PV became so cheap. It looked like CSP was a dead horse.
It seems now that they are making a bit of a comeback with some plants not exporting power at all during sun hours, only from stored heat during peak hours. (ie. Crescent Dunes).
But isn’t that what’s wanted? PV produces lots of power, but in the middle of the day between the peak times.
I am trying to think, why Winterton?
There is water, the Tugela check.
Colenso power station, now decommissioned, so under-utilized power line availability in the area check.
Otherwise, it seems a pretty random location choice as far as sunshine.
I am tipping towards calling BS on this one.
Are you implying that this could be used for hydro storage?
I am not implying anything, the article mentions “hydro-thermal storage”. (A fancy way of saying hot water.)
If you want to know (a bit) more about the storage system, you can see here: Technology | Renewable Energy Storage | Solar Power Technology | RayGen
Looks like the water is in a sealed system.