Country for PR: China
Contributor: PR Newswire Asia (China)
Saturday, June 12 2021 - 10:07
AsiaNet
Shanghai Electric Makes Significant Progress on the CSP Tower and Parabolic Trough Plant in Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park
SHANGHAI, June 12, 2021 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/--

Shanghai Electric ("Shanghai Electric" or "the Company") (601727.SS and 
02727.HK) announced that the first molten salt tank hydro test for the 
Parabolic Trough Plant-II (PT2) of the fourth phase of Mohammed bin Rashid Al 
Maktoum Solar Park was carried out on May 9, the positive results of which laid 
a crucial foundation for the next phase of the molten salt system commission. 
The test was followed by finalized molten salt pipeline installation inside the 
Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) tower, marking another key milestone in 
construction progress.

The fourth phase of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is the largest 
single-site Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) project in the world, which uses 
world-leading hybrid solar energy technologies to generate 950MW of clean 
energy, including a 100 MW CSP tower plant, three 200 MW parabolic trough CSP 
plants and 250 MW of photovoltaic (PV) capacity. 

The solar tower, standing 260m-high at the center of the CSP tower plant site, 
will also be the world's tallest structure of its kind. Upon completion, the 
combined thermal energy storage of the solar tower and parabolic trough plants 
will allow for 24/7 energy availability, with each parabolic trough CSP plant 
possessing an energy storage capacity of 13.5 hours and the tower boasting up 
to 15 hours.

Nitrate, the heat storage medium for the Parabolic Trough Plant-II, is stored 
in eight tanks, with each one measuring 45 meters in diameter and 25,000 cubic 
meters in capacity. The harsh desert environment presented a massive challenge 
to the test, and labor shortages during Ramadan added another layer of 
uncertainty to overall progress. The test was eventually completed on time with 
the help of water trucks which transported and unloaded the water to 
provisional water tanks, through which the water was pumped into the molten 
salt tanks. 

"I extend my appreciation to all the on-site workers for their dedication and 
hard work to ensure the test was completed at speed and on time, despite the 
tremendous difficulties caused by a labor shortage and local 
high-temperatures," said Zhao Hui, Project Manager of Dubai CSP Project of 
Shanghai Electric Power Generation Engineering Co.

"Their outstanding performance also guaranteed the smooth progress of the CSP 
central tower pipeline installation, which is the core and one of the most 
important parts of the structure. The space in the tower is extremely small, 
given the total length of the central tower internal pipes is over 500 meters. 
To make sure the work could be done on time, the project team formulated 
well-thought-out installation plans and overcame all unseen problems without 
causing any delay," he added.

The molten salt tank system is the answer to the challenges of thermal energy 
storage. Thermal energy storage realized by molten salt systems enables power 
generation on cloudy days, or long night after sunset, with high operating 
efficiency and low capital costs per kilowatt-hour. During the daytime, the 
molten salt is circulated to a heat exchanger from a cold tank to absorb heat 
from the high-temperature oil. The heated molten salt can then be stored in an 
insulated hot tank which can later send the liquid to power steam turbines at 
night or during unfavourable weather conditions.

In 2018, Shanghai Electric was appointed as Engineering, Procurement and 
Construction (EPC) contractor for the fourth phase of Mohammed bin Rashid Al 
Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai after signing the agreement with DEWA (Dubai 
Electricity and Water Authority) and ACWA Power to undertake both the 700 MW 
CSP and 250 MW PV projects. Financed by China's Silk Fund and ACWA, it is a 
landmark project of China's Belt and Road Initiative, as well as a significant 
milestone of Shanghai Electric in participating in renewable energy utility 
construction in the Middle East and its shift of focus from coal-fired energy 
to renewables.

In 2021, Shanghai Electric ranks 17th in the list of top 100 international 
contractors, 5th in the field of electric power engineering, according to the 
latest evaluation released by the China International Contractors Association. 
In addition, the Company has also been granted "A-level international 
contractor", the highest rating, by the association.

Source:Shanghai Electric

Image Attachments Links:

   Link: https://iop.asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=393688

   Caption: On-site workers celebrated the completion of the first molten salt 
tank hydro test for the Parabolic Trough Plant-II (PT2) of the fourth phase of 
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park

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