CSP Cost, Trends, & Types (Exclusive Interview With CSP Expert In Abu Dhabi)

January 24th, 2014 by Zachary Shahan

On my recent (second) trip to Shams 1, the world’s largest single-unit concentrated solar power (CSP) plant, I took the opportunity to ask CSP experts Abdulaziz Al Obaidli and Yousif Al Ali some questions regarding CSP research and trends. I also had Abdulaziz Al Obaidli provide a short overview of the different types of CSP on the market — since CSP isn’t just one technology. Here’s the video I created from pieces of those interviews:

Of course, in a lot of cases, the most important factor is simply cost. It’s interesting to hear that CSP is getting down to 19–25 cents per kWh — still much more expensive than solar PV, but progress is being made.

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Tags: Abdulaziz Al Obaidli, abu dhabi, Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, CSP cost, CSP trends, Shams 1, UAE, Yousif Al Ali

About the Author

Zachary Shahan is tryin' to help society help itself (and other species) one letter at a time. He spends most of his time here on CleanTechnica as its director and chief editor. Otherwise, he's probably enthusiastically fulfilling his duties as the director/editor of EV Obsession, Gas2, Solar Love, Planetsave, or Bikocity; or as president of Important Media. Zach is recognized globally as a solar energy, electric car, energy storage, and wind energy expert. If you would like him to speak at a related conference or event, connect with him via social media: ZacharyShahan.com. Zach has long-term investments in TSLA, SCTY, FSLR, SPWR, SEDG, & ABB. After years of covering solar and EVs, he simply has a lot of faith in these companies and feels like they are good companies to invest in.

Jis George

The booster heaters in Shams 1, does each have a 25MWe capacity? I am asking this question as I understand that almost 50 MWe is generated by the two booster heaters.
Henry

Thanks for the video, a microphone windsock would help hear what’s being said.
- wattleberry
  
  Hear, hear!
Matt

Zac, you have some great charts for EVs, PV and Wind. But many people have “issues” with log plots and the data gets smash on linear. If you add a yearly installed that was a percent of the market at the beginning of the year. I would be clearer just how fast the world is changing. Finding the best way to open the general population to the true is so important now. Keep up the good work!