Spanish solar power plant benefits from continuous and efficient operation

Requirement: Andasol 1 is Europe’s first parabolic trough commercial power plant and is capable of supplying environmentally-friendly solar electricity for up to 200,000 people. Steam powers a turbine which generates electricity in the same manner as a conventional power plant. Shutdowns, turbine trips and steam temperature and pressure variation presented challenges to engineers trying to maintain optimal steam flow.

Solution: CCI custom engineered a system of steam-conditioning turbine bypass valves to control the flow of steam into and out of the turbine and a spray water control valve to ensure optimal steam flow. The valves are turned off during the optimal steam flow into the turbine but switch on when temperature or pressure move beyond the desired parameters. CCI’s engineering expertise has contributed to the efficient operation of the plant which emits no noise, greenhouse gases and is helping to meet peak power demands.