Best Project Energy/Industrial: Tucson Electric Power Company, Solar Steam Generator Project
The scope of the $2.8-million project centered upon joining lengths of pipe through an elevated platform connected to a boiler system. The system’s boiler produces direct superheated steam generation from a Fresnel array of modular linear reflectors. These reflectors harness the sun’s power by concentrating solar light onto a linear receiver containing nine boiler tubes made of carbon and alloy steels.
Construction began with raising the boiler tower, sun reflectors and receivers to a working height. The components were then installed at a final operating height of 100 ft to 125 ft.