Key facts
- 247Solar's system uses heliostats to heat air to 970° C.
- Heat is stored in ceramic pellets for 9-20 hours of power generation.
- A heat exchanger allows the system to run on fossil fuels.
- Adding fossil fuel capability adds less than 10% to the total cost.
- The first installation will be a 1 MW plant in India.
- The system is designed to be modular, with plans for a 3 MW facility.
US startup 247Solar is developing a concentrated solar power system that integrates a fossil fuel backup, allowing the same generating hardware to be used for both renewable and conventional power. The system uses heliostats to heat air to approximately 970° C, which is then stored in ceramic pellets for later use. This stored heat, or heat generated by burning fossil fuels, is sent to a heat exchanger that replaces the combustor on a traditional turbine. The company claims adding fossil fuel capability adds less than 10% to the total cost. The first installation will be a 1 Megawatt plant in India, with plans for a modular 3 Megawatt facility.