eltherm South Africa has been awarded the electrical heat tracing (EHT) system design and installation contract for the 100 MW Kathu Solar Park CSP (concentrated solar power) plant in the Northern Cape. The company will deliver systems for the solar facility’s thermal energy storage (TES), heat transfer fluid (HTF) and balance of plant (BOP) equipment.
eltherm was also responsible for last year’s successful installation of the EHT system at Xina Solar One in Pofadder, and is currently involved with the maintenance and repairs of the heat tracing systems at Kaxu Solar One and Bokpoort CSP, also in the Northern Cape. Globally, it is among others responsible for the heat tracing at the Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex in Morocco, as well as Ashalim Power Station in Israel.
Managing director Peter Stone comments: “The Kathu Solar Park contract undoubtedly reconfirms our strength in the South African CSP marketplace and we are excited to form part of eltherm’s significant growth and leadership in this important global market segment. EHT plays an important role in the successful running of CSP plants, which ultimately contributes towards renewable energy provision.”
The Kathu installation
EHT is required in CSP plants to maintain temperatures and prevent heat losses. The Kathu Solar Park’s EHT system will be managed by eltherm’s innovative TraceVision software and controllers that enable efficient and uninterrupted operations at the plant.
The TES, which features the plant’s molten salt storage capability, will compromise the majority of eltherm’s EHT installation where temperature classes of T1-T3 will be maintained. It is estimated that the plant’s parabolic trough technology will provide up to five-hour storage capacity, to meet peak energy demand after sunset.
Essentially, EHT maintains the correct temperature in pipes and other process equipment to avoid solidification of the hot fluids. It also compensates for the loss of heat when fluids flow to pipes with a lower ambient temperature. The eltherm EHT installation at Kathu Solar Park will take six to eight months to complete.
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