ASME PTC 52-2020

Concentrating Solar Power Plants

This Code applies to testing of solar-to-thermal conversion systems for parabolic trough, linear Fresnel, and power tower CSP systems. A unique feature of these systems is the variability of the input energy from the sun. Therefore, recommendations regarding the instrumentation required to measure the DNI are provided in this Code.

This Code also provides guidance on thermal energy storage systems that are often integral parts of CSP plant designs. This Code recognizes that many forms of energy storage systems with varying test goals are likely to be of interest to the industry. In the absence of any other Code-level guidance, this Code provides input related to testing thermal storage systems in Nonmandatory Appendix A.

This Code does not apply to systems where a heat balance at the boundary of the thermal system cannot be evaluated separately, such as

(a) concentrating photovoltaics (CPV) plants

(b) concentrating photovoltaics and thermal (CPT) plants

(c) concentrating thermophotovoltaics (CTPV) plants

(d) dish and engine plants

This Code contains methods for conducting and reporting performance tests of solar-energy-to-thermal-energy conversion systems that may include thermal energy storage systems. This Code includes requirements for pretest arrangements, testing methods, instrumentation, recommendations for measurement, and methods (or guidelines) for calculating test results and uncertainty. This Code does not apply to the determination of balance-of-plant or power-cycle performance.