Concentrating solar thermal power in the U.S.: lessons from setbacks at Ivanpah, light for the future
Abstract
Abstract Concentrating solar thermal power (CSP) exhibits promise as a source of firm electricity. The proposed termination of Ivanpah’s power purchase agreement hinders confidence in the country’s CSP future. This work highlights how the lack of thermal energy storage (TES) undermined the first-of-a-kind plant’s economics as California’s grid transformed. Then, possible futures of the Ivanpah facility are analyzed; results show retrofitting with state-of-the-art TES systems could provide better returns.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic Systems
Integrated Energy Systems Optimization
Photovoltaic Systems and Sustainability
Publication details
- Journal / source
- npj Thermal Science and Engineering
- Publisher
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC
- Volume
- 1
- Issue
- 1
- Publication date
- 1 April 2026
- Language
- EN