Application of the Centaur Industrial Gas Turbine to the Central Receiver Concept for Solar Electric Power

One important method of converting solar energy to electric power is thermal energy conversion in conjunction with an industrial turbine-generator set. The application of the industrial gas turbine to the central receiver concept for solar electric power presents several unique problems, however, particularly in the fields of combustion and control systems. This paper covers a design study of the application of the Solar Turbines International (STI) recuperative Centaur gas turbine to the central receiver concept when operating in a hybrid solar-fossil fuel mode, examines the key technology voids and offers potential solutions.