Solar Platform of Almeria (PSA)
http://www.psa.es/en/index.php
Core Data
Identification
Hosting Legal Entity
French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission
Address:
Gif-sur-yvette cedex, PO: 91191 (Undefined)
Location
Tabernas, PO: 04200, Almeria (Spain)
Structure
Type Of RI
Single-sited
Coordinating Country
Spain
Status
Status
Current Status:
Operational since 1981
Scientific Description
Mission and objectives
The Plataforma Solar de Almería (PSA) is one of the centers of the Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT). It is one of the largest and most complete R&D center in the World devoted to solar thermal concentrating systems. PSA is integrated in the CIEMAT organization as an R&D division of the Department of Energy. PSA is also a Singular Science and Technology Infrastructures (ICTS) of Government of Spain.The good solar conditions, its diverse solar facilities and the highly-skilled PSA staff, provide a unique infrastructure for R&D, evaluation, demonstration, education and technology transfer regarding solar energy applications.PSA is located in southeastern Spain, in the Tabernas Desert at 37º05’27.8” north and 2º21’19” west. It receives a direct annual insolation of more than 1900 kWh/(m2•year) and the average annual temperature is around 17ºC. PSA counts with over 30 years of experience in the operation, maintenance and evaluation of solar thermal concentrating systems, their components and different types of commercial applications. At present, PSA has a large variety of experimental installations and laboratories for R+D activities related to solar thermal concentrating systems.

RI Keywords
Materials testing, Solar thermal electricity, Water desalination, Solar energy
Classifications
RI Category
Energy Engineering Facilities (non nuclear)
Scientific Domain
Engineering and Energy
Services
Testing and characterization of thermal energy storage systems

Self-explicative.

Testing and characterization of heliostats

Self-explicative.

Testing and characterization of solar-powered reactors for industrial processes

Self-explicative.

Testing and characterization of solar-driven water detoxification systems

Self-explicative.

Testing and characterization of solar-driven water disinfection systems

Self-explicative.

Testing and characterization of linear Fresnel solar collectors

Self-explicative.

Testing and characterization of parabolic trough solar collectors

Self-explicative.

Testing and characterization of dish-Stirling systems

Self-explicative.

Testing and characterization of receiver for power tower

Self-explicative.

Testing and characterization of solar-driven water desalination systems

Self-explicative.

Equipment
Solar Furnace

Parabolic dish for high-temperature testing of materials or solarization of high-temperature industrial processes.

CESA-1 Central receiver system

7 MW CRS-type central receiver system for testing of receivers, heliostats, thermal storage systems.

Water Detox Loop

Compound-parabolic collector system plus chemistry lab aimed to study water detoxification processes.

FRESDEMO test facility

Pilot-scale linear-Fresnel solar collector aimed to testing and characterization of several components.

DCS Distributed collector system

2 MW Parabolic trough system for testing of collectors, mirrors, absorber tubes, thermal storage systems, control algorithms.

Water Desinf Loop

Compound-parabolic collector system plus chemistry lab aimed to study water disinfection processes.

DESAL test facility

Solar-driven Multi-Stage Water distillation plant for development of that technology by testing of several components.

DISTAL-Dish-Stirling testing system

Parabolic dishes for testing of components as Stirling engine or mirrors.

CRS Central receiver system

3 MW CRS-type central receiver system for testing of receivers, heliostats, thermal storage systems, control algorithms.

Additional Data
Collaborations
Networks
EU-SOLARIS