Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
steppe areas, due to the low population density, negative optical impacts to
humans are hardly to be expected.
- Reflections. Solar tower, trough or dish power plants focus solar radiation onto
a particular line or point. Provided that power plants are operated properly, i.e.
mirrors are precisely tracking, none of the known environmental effects will
occur. However, due to the partly very high energy flow densities of the focus-
sed solar radiation, persons and/or assets may be exposed to considerable haz-
ards in case of improper operation. Proper operation and precise radiation focus
of the plants must thus be ensured by all means.
- Emissions. Since some solar thermal power plants also apply conventional
power plant technology they are also potential sources of airborne emissions.
However, greenhouse gas emissions as well as other types of emissions are
only released into the atmosphere during hybrid operation involving fossil or
biogenous combustibles. Since the application of these types of fuels is gener-
ally subject to extensive legal requirements, environmental effects are usually
very limited. Additionally, noise may be created by the turbines and pumps.
These sound emissions may be kept to a minimum by appropriate noise protec-
tion which has become a state-of-the-art requirement, also with regard to ap-
proval according to the existing noise protection regulations, slightly different
in different countries. Since the power block is furthermore most commonly lo-
cated in a central position in the collector field, noise emissions at the facility
limits are practically negligible. This is why noise emissions issues have not
been reported so far. Further emissions are fumes originating from possible re-
cooling systems of the condensers and the general thermal load of the thermal
circuits. But also in this respect, there are extensive legal and regulatory re-
quirements to be fulfilled in order to obtain permission for plant operation.
Malfunction. In case of malfunction, at the most, the same environmental effects
as for conventional power stations fired by fossil or biogenous energy carriers are
to be expected. Further malfunctions that may arise with regard to solar farms are
operating failures due to heat transfer fluid leakage causing personal and envi-
ronmental damages.
End of operation. To avoid undesired environmental effects, the plants are prop-
erly dismantled and discarded at the end of operation. Discarding of the applied
plant components should not cause any major environmental effects. They are
mostly similar to those of conventional machine technologies, which are relatively
low due to the applicable legal requirements.
5.3
Parabolic trough power plants
The line focussing solar fields of parabolic trough and linear Fresnel collectors
reflect the incident radiation on an absorber positioned in the focal line of the
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