The other technology, concentrated solar power

¹ Processes, Materials and Solar Energy Laboratory (PROMES, UPR 8521 CNRS), 7 rue du four solaire, Odeillo, 66120 Font Romeu
² Energy and Environment Commission of the French Physical Society

^* gilles.flamant@promes.cnrs.fr
^** bernard.tamain@free.fr

Abstract

Concentrating solar power is used to heat a heat transfer fluid to a high temperature./ The heat obtained can either be used directly, or converted into electrical energy using a thermodynamic cycle. One advantage of solar power plants is that they can be coupled with thermal storage systems to improve the ability to regulate production according to demand.

This article gives a brief overview of the current performance and future prospects of these plants.