Solar Receiver Steam Generator Design for the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System

The movement for energy independence coupled with aggressive renewable energy goals and government investment incentives has led the power industry to develop efficient and reliable sources of renewable power. In a power tower system a central Solar Receiver Steam Generator (SRSG) is surrounded by a field of mirrors (heliostats) that focus and concentrate sunlight onto the receiver tubes. The energy from the sunlight is used to generate and superheat steam for electric production. The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System (ISEGS) project, located in Ivanpah, CA, consists of three 126 MWg units, to power approximately 140,000 homes. The Ivanpah SRSG’s are forced circulation drum-type boilers with single reheat; located on top of a 400 ft (122 m) steel tower [1]. This paper will discuss the development, constraints, and unique design challenges of the Riley Power Inc. (RPI) SRSG selected for the Ivanpah project. Process descriptions and predicted unit performance are presented, along with comparisons to typical fossil boilers. First of kind concepts and engineering design achievements are discussed for what will be the largest power tower project in the world.