Evaluation of thermal storage in salts
Introduction
The Cerro Dominador Solar Plant is a 210 megawatt (MW) power plant that combines concentrated solar energy with photovoltaic energy. It is located in the commune of María Elena "María Elena (Chile)")[2] in the Antofagasta region of Chile, approximately 24 kilometers (15 mi) northwest of Sierra Gorda "Sierra Gorda (Chile)").[3] The project was approved by the Chilean government in 2013 and construction was carried out by Abengoa Solar Chile, a branch of the multinational Abengoa España.[4] The plant was inaugurated in June 2021.[5].
History
Construction of the project began in May 2014. On August 29, 2015, a workers' strike began due to poor working conditions.[6] Consequently, Abengoa halted construction in January 2016, after approximately 1,500 workers were fired from the project, leaving only maintenance personnel on the construction site.[7][8] At that time, the progress of the work had taken longer. 50% execution.[9] In October 2016, EIG Global Energy Partners became the sole owner of the project, after acquiring the participation of Abengoa, which remained as the builder and technological partner.[3].
In February 2018, after completing the construction of the 100 MW photovoltaic section by Abengoa, the solar thermal plant came into operation in its first phase.[3].
In May 2018, EIG Global Energy Partners completes the financing of $758 million and Abengoa partners with Acciona to resume construction and execute the second phase of the CSP plant section, in June 2018. Among the financiers of the project are Natixis, Deutsche Bank, Société Générale, ABN AMRO, Banco Santander, Commerzbank and BTG Pactual .[3][10][11].
In February 2020, the process of melting 45,000 tons of salt in the thermal storage unit begins. The salt mixture was produced by the mining company SQM (Sociedad Química y Minera, a Chilean chemical supplier of fertilizers, iodine, lithium and industrial chemicals).[12][13].
The 2,300-ton solar receiver was installed at the end of February 2020 at a height of 220 meters on the central tower of the complex, giving the tower a total height of 252 meters.[14] The plant was synchronized with the Chilean electrical grid in April 2021[15] and inaugurated on June 9 of the same year.[5].