Reduced Levelized Cost of Energy Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power Through Utilizing Process Gas Lubricated Bearings in Oil-Free Drivetrains

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General Electric Global Research (GE) and Southwest Research Initiative (SwRI) propose to reduce concentrating solar power (CSP) LCoE through lowering power plant cost in conjunction with increasing power cycle efficiency through novel oil-free drivetrains utilizing GE gas bearing technology. The oil-free drivetrains will result from configuration studies for a peaker and baseload CSP plant. In parallel, key technology risks for gas bearing technology will be addressed: 1. Validation of operation in a relevant sCO2 environment via sCO2 component test rig and 2. Load handling and rotodynamic response characterization through a simulated rotor test in the GE Research bunker test facility. The simulated rotor design will result from the configuration study. The configuration study and test validation will provide build data to justify the cost reductions for CAPEX ($/kWe), O&M costs (oil-free operation) and power cycle efficiency increases driving to the SETO LCoE reduction targets.

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