Overview
The Greenway CSP Mersin Solar Tower is a concentrated solar power (CSP) facility located in Mersin Province in southern Turkey. Commissioned in 2013, the plant represents a significant milestone in the region’s renewable energy infrastructure as the first solar power tower in Turkey. Operated by Greenway, the facility utilizes a natural circulation direct steam generation system, distinguishing it from traditional parabolic trough or photovoltaic installations common in the early Turkish solar market. The plant is currently operational, contributing to the diversification of Turkey’s energy mix through thermal solar technology.
The central feature of the installation is a 60-metre (200 ft) high power tower, which serves as the focal point for a field of 510 heliostats. These mirrors track the sun and reflect sunlight onto a receiver located at the top of the tower. The receiver is angled at 135° and is equipped with four evaporators and a super-heater to optimize thermal collection. The system operates at a high temperature of 550 °C and a pressure of 55 bars, enabling efficient steam generation for power production. The plant has a thermal capacity of 5 MW, providing a baseline for thermal energy storage and electricity generation in the Mersin region.
Technical Specifications and Design
The Greenway CSP Mersin Solar Tower utilizes a solar power tower technology configuration to generate electricity. The central tower structure stands at a height of 60 metres (200 ft) and is located in Mersin Province, southern Turkey. This facility is classified as a solar farm with an operational status and a capacity of 5 MW. The plant was commissioned in 2013 and is operated by Greenway. The technical design relies on a natural circulation direct steam generation boiler, which is a key component of the power conversion cycle. This boiler operates at a temperature of 550 °C and a pressure of 55 bars. These operating parameters are critical for the efficiency of the direct steam generation process, allowing for effective heat transfer from the solar receiver to the working fluid.
Receiver and Thermal Components
The solar receiver is designed to capture concentrated solar radiation and transfer thermal energy to the steam generation system. The receiver incorporates four evaporators and a super-heater. This configuration allows for the precise control of steam quality and temperature as the working fluid moves through the thermal cycle. The receiver is angled at 135°, an orientation that optimizes the exposure to solar irradiance and facilitates the natural circulation of the steam-water mixture. The integration of the evaporators and super-heater within the receiver structure supports the direct steam generation method, reducing the complexity of the heat exchange process compared to indirect systems using thermal oils or molten salts.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Technology | Solar Power Tower |
| Tower Height | 60 metres (200 ft) |
| Boiler Type | Natural circulation direct steam generation |
| Operating Temperature | 550 °C |
| Operating Pressure | 55 bars |
| Receiver Configuration | Four evaporators, one super-heater |
| Receiver Angle | 135° |
| Capacity | 5 MW |
| Commissioning Year | 2013 |
| Operator | Greenway |
| Location | Mersin Province, Turkey |
Heliostat Field Technology
The Greenway CSP Mersin Solar Tower utilizes a field of 510 heliostats to concentrate solar radiation onto the receiver of the 60-metre tower in Mersin Province, Turkey. These heliostats are engineered for high reflecting efficiency and reduced manufacturing costs, forming the critical first stage of the direct steam generation cycle that operates at 550 °C and 55 bars pressure. The design prioritizes precision tracking and autonomous operation to maximize the energy input into the receiver, which features four evaporators and a super-heater angled at 135°.
Autonomous Dual-Axis Positioning
Each of the 510 heliostats employs an autonomous dual-axis positioning system to maintain optimal alignment with the sun throughout the day. This system relies on precise solar position calculation algorithms that account for the specific geographic coordinates of the Mersin site and the time of year. The heliostats independently adjust their azimuth and elevation angles to ensure that the reflected solar beam strikes the designated area of the receiver with minimal spillage. This accurate reflection angle calculation is essential for maintaining the thermal intensity required for the natural circulation direct steam generation boiler. The dual-axis mechanism allows for continuous, smooth movement, reducing mechanical wear while ensuring that the mirror surface remains perpendicular to the bisector of the angle between the sun and the receiver.
Wireless Communication and Tracking Correction
Operational efficiency is enhanced through a sophisticated wireless communication network linking the individual heliostats to the central control system. This wireless infrastructure facilitates real-time data exchange, allowing for automated tracking correction without the need for extensive cabling across the field. The system continuously monitors the position of each heliostat and compares it to the calculated ideal position, applying micro-adjustments to compensate for mechanical tolerances, wind load, and thermal expansion. This automated tracking correction ensures that the optical alignment remains precise even under varying environmental conditions. The integration of wireless technology also simplifies the installation and maintenance of the heliostat field, contributing to the overall cost-effectiveness of the 5 MW solar farm operated by Greenway. The robust communication protocol ensures that all 510 units operate in synchronization, maximizing the collective optical efficiency of the field.
How does concentrated solar power tower technology work?
Concentrated solar power (CSP) tower technology operates on the principle of concentrating direct normal irradiance onto a single, elevated receiver to generate high-temperature thermal energy. At the Greenway CSP Mersin Solar Tower in Turkey, this process is executed by a field of heliostats—mirrors that track the sun’s position throughout the day. The receiver at this facility is angled at 135° to optimize the capture of reflected solar flux.
The Greenway plant utilizes a natural circulation direct steam generation (DSG) system. In this configuration, water is pumped through the receiver where it is heated by the concentrated solar energy. The receiver contains four evaporators and a super-heater, which work together to convert water into high-pressure steam. This steam is generated at 550 °C and 55 bars of pressure. The high-enthalpy steam is then directed to a turbine generator to produce electricity, offering a thermal storage advantage over some other solar technologies.
This tower-based CSP approach differs significantly from the more prevalent rooftop solar thermal and photovoltaic (PV) systems found across Turkey. Photovoltaic systems convert sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor cells, typically resulting in lower operating temperatures and requiring batteries for storage. Rooftop solar thermal systems, often used for water heating, use flat-plate or evacuated-tube collectors that operate at much lower pressures and temperatures than the 55 bars and 550 °C achieved at the Greenway tower. The CSP tower’s ability to generate high-pressure steam allows for more efficient thermodynamic cycles and easier integration with thermal energy storage, distinguishing it from the instantaneous conversion of standard PV arrays.
Development History and Investment
The Greenway CSP Mersin Solar Tower represents a significant milestone in Turkey's renewable energy infrastructure, specifically within the concentrated solar power (CSP) sector. The project was developed by Greenway, the operator responsible for the facility's construction and ongoing management. The development phase was characterized by substantial financial commitment and strategic institutional support, aiming to validate direct steam generation technology in a Mediterranean climate.
Financial backing for the project was anchored by a 50 million dollars investment by Greenway. This capital injection was critical for covering the costs of the 60-metre (200 ft) tower structure, the heliostat field, and the natural circulation direct steam generation boiler. The investment scale reflected the experimental and pioneering nature of the plant at the time of its inception, distinguishing it from more conventional photovoltaic installations prevalent in the region.
Institutional support played a pivotal role in the project's viability. The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) provided key research and development assistance, helping to refine the technical parameters of the solar tower. Additionally, the Technology Development Foundation of Turkey (TTGV) offered financial and structural support, facilitating the integration of advanced engineering solutions into the plant's design. These entities helped mitigate the technological risks associated with implementing a 550 °C operating temperature and 55 bars pressure system in a new geographic context.
The development process involved extensive research and development (R&D) efforts prior to the plant's activation. These efforts focused on optimizing the receiver's configuration, which includes four evaporators and a super-heater angled at 135°. The R&D phase ensured that the natural circulation system could efficiently manage thermal stresses and maintain consistent steam production. This rigorous preparation allowed the facility to achieve operational status in March 2013, marking the beginning of its contribution to the local energy grid in Mersin Province.
Location and Site Characteristics
The Greenway CSP Mersin Solar Tower is situated in the Toroslar district, located on the northern outskirts of Mersin city in southern Turkey (per project location data). The facility is positioned south of the Adana-Erdemli O51 motorway, a key transportation corridor in the region. This placement within the Mersin Province provides the solar power tower with access to the characteristic climatic conditions of the Mediterranean coast, which are favorable for concentrated solar power (CSP) generation. The site's proximity to the urban center of Mersin allows for efficient integration into the local grid infrastructure, while the specific location in Toroslar offers the necessary land area for the solar field and receiver assembly.
The geographical context of southern Turkey plays a significant role in the operational characteristics of the plant. The region is known for its high solar irradiance, which is essential for the performance of the 60-metre high solar power tower. The natural circulation direct steam generation boiler, which operates at 550 °C and 55 bars pressure, benefits from the consistent solar resource available in this part of the Mediterranean basin (per technical specifications). The receiver, which features four evaporators and a super-heater angled at 135°, is designed to maximize energy capture in this specific environmental setting. The location in Mersin Province, a major industrial and agricultural hub, underscores the strategic importance of renewable energy projects in diversifying the regional energy mix. The plant's operational status since 2013 demonstrates the viability of CSP technology in this geographical area, contributing to the energy infrastructure of southern Turkey. The site's characteristics, including its elevation and surrounding topography, are optimized to minimize shading and maximize the efficiency of the heliostat field, although specific topographical details are defined by the local landscape of the Toroslar district. The Adana-Erdemli O51 motorway serves as a northern boundary reference, highlighting the plant's integration into the broader transport and energy networks of the province.
Significance
The Greenway CSP Mersin Solar Tower holds a distinct position in the energy infrastructure of Turkey as the nation's first concentrated solar power (CSP) tower facility. Located in Mersin Province in southern Turkey, this operational plant represents a strategic diversification of the country's solar energy portfolio. While Turkey's solar sector has historically been dominated by rooftop solar thermal systems and photovoltaic (PV) arrays, the Mersin tower introduces a different technological paradigm. This distinction is critical for energy analysts observing the Turkish grid, as it demonstrates a move beyond simple photovoltaic conversion toward thermal energy storage and generation capabilities inherent in CSP technology.
The facility operates with a capacity of 5 MW, commissioned in 2013 under the operation of Greenway. Although modest in scale compared to utility-scale PV farms, its significance lies in its engineering specifics. The plant features a 60-metre (200 ft) high solar power tower, which serves as the central receiver for the system. This structure houses a natural circulation direct steam generation boiler. The boiler operates at high thermodynamic parameters, specifically at 550 °C and 55 bars of pressure. These conditions allow for efficient steam production, which drives the turbine generator. The receiver design is intricate, incorporating four evaporators and a super-heater, and is angled at 135° to optimize solar flux capture.
Technological innovation is a core aspect of the Mersin tower's profile. The system utilizes a proprietary heliostat design, which differentiates it from standard CSP installations globally. Heliostats are the mirrors that track the sun and reflect light onto the central receiver. The proprietary nature of these mirrors suggests a tailored engineering approach to the specific solar irradiance conditions of Mersin Province. This innovation contributes to the efficiency of the direct steam generation process, reducing thermal losses and enhancing the overall performance of the 5 MW output. For engineers and researchers, the Mersin tower serves as a case study in adapting CSP technology to the Mediterranean climate of southern Turkey, providing data on the viability of natural circulation boilers in this geographic context.
The operational status of the plant since 2013 provides a longitudinal dataset for evaluating CSP performance in Turkey. As the first of its kind, the Greenway CSP Mersin Solar Tower paved the way for subsequent CSP projects, proving that the technology could be successfully integrated into the Turkish energy mix. Its existence challenges the notion that solar energy in Turkey is exclusively photovoltaic, highlighting the potential for thermal solar power to contribute to grid stability and peak load management. The plant remains a key reference point for discussions on renewable energy diversification in the region.