High Performance Solar 2, Portugal: Increased efficiency and reduced costs with control system and electrical infrastructure

The DLR* Institute of Solar Research, together with the University of Évora and industry partners from Germany and Spain, have built a solar parabolic trough test facility using molten salt as its heat transfer medium. It is part of the High Performance Solar 2 (HPS2) research project located in Évora, Portugal, which is a Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) plant that uses the sun’s energy to generate electricity and heat.

With a total thermal output of up to 3.5 megawatts, it is equipped with a steam generator that provides steam at a pressure of up to 140 bar and generates a thermal output of 1.6 megawatts. The plant aims to develop and optimize the use of molten salt as a primary fluid, operating between 500°C and 600°C, increasing efficiency and lowering CAPEX and OPEX costs.

Video: The HPS2 plant uses molten salt as a heat transfer medium

Siemens Energy was responsible for the engineering and construction of all electrical infrastructures (E-BOP), supplying several systems installed by the consortium partners, plus the entire plant DCS, using our proven Omnivise T3000 control system, interconnected to two main black box systems (Solar Field Control and Trace Heating).

The system supplied makes use of redundant configuration, by using PLC S7-400H and FH CPU410-5H, with 1000 hardwire I/Os, although the plant only uses around 500. The system is ready for future plant upgrades and additional research projects that will take place soon.

• Effective support for the operators with Omnivise T3000 
• Integrated engineering, improved flexibility, scalability and reduced maintenance 
• Efficient workflows in daily operations 
• Thermal storage without batteries 
• Plant automatization / stand-alone operation 
• Highly reliable electrical and DCS systems

The collaboration between the DLR* Institute of Solar Research, the University of Évora, and Siemens Energy reached a significant milestone with the development of HPS2. This achievement centered on reducing CAPEX and OPEX while providing renewable energy solutions that accelerate the energy transition. HPS2 is a leader in renewable innovation, improving efficiency and reducing costs with Siemens Energy's advanced control solutions and cutting-edge electrical systems.

*DLR is the largest German research institution in this area. It plays a leading role in Europe, and in the world, in the development and testing of related technologies.