On 19 November, the 100 MW concentrating solar power (CSP) unit of the CTGR Hami 1 GW “CSP + PV” integrated demonstration project—general-contracted by Northwest Electric Power Design Institute Co., LTD, of China Power Engineering Consulting Group (CPECC Northwest)—successfully reached full-load generation across the entire plant. Following its distinction as the first CSP project in China to complete grid-connection of all systems, the plant has now achieved continuous, stable operation at 100 MW, setting a winter full-load record.
The CTGR Hami 1 GW “CSP + PV” integrated project, the largest linear-Fresnel hybrid energy demonstration in Xinjiang, is located in Xishan Township, Yizhou District, Hami City. With a total installed capacity of 1 GW, it is developed under an integrated “CSP + PV” model. The 100 MW CSP portion employs linear-Fresnel molten-salt storage technology, comprising 46 solar-collector loops and 800 000 m² of mirror aperture, enabling eight hours of zero-carbon energy storage. The solar field was constructed by Dunhuang Dacheng Shengneng New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Lanzhou Dacheng Technology Co., Ltd., while commissioning was carried out by China Energy Engineering Group Central China Electric Power Test and Research Institute Co., Ltd.
Unlike conventional coal, wind or photovoltaic plants, a CSP station enters a critical phase of performance optimization and stable operation after grid connection. Output has risen steadily: 50 MW, 60 MW, 70 MW, 90 MW, and ultimately the rated 100 MW.
Full-load operation of the CTGR Hami 100 MW CSP plant validates the molten-salt linear-Fresnel route and provides a valuable reference for future construction of molten-salt linear-Fresnel stations, as well as for bringing molten-salt parabolic-trough and multi-tower molten-salt tower plants up to rated performance.