MJ2500 Large Scale Solar Power 6.0 credits

• Provide an insight in solar energy utilization with utility-scale electricity solar power plants. According to the International Energy Agency, solar power is seen as one of the cornerstones of affordable renewable power production for a fossile free future. Without a significant share of solar power, the 1.5 degree global warming goal from the Paris climate convention will not be met. This means that the installation of large scale solar power plants will accellerate in coming years.
• Provide the students with all necessary background in solar power production starting from understanding the different technologies covering both photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating solar power (CSP)

• The students will learn about the main components of utility scale PV and CSP plants, their functionality and operating characteristics.

• Furthermore, the students will learn about the electricity market and solar power production for market specific demands. Lastly the students will learn about tools to design solar power plants for specific market conditions. The aquired knowledge will be used to design a utility scale PV and a CSP plant for specific electricity market conditions in two design projects.
• At the end of the course, the students should be able to analyze and design megawatt scale power plants to supply the electricity using solar energy. Students should be able to understand the value chain of a solar power plant project, the market perspectives and the main actors today.

After completion of the course, students shall be able to:

• Explain and describe the theory and fundamentals of solar energy and the main characteristics of solar PV and CSP technologies for utility-scale electricity generation.
• Describe the main components and their functionality in both PV and CSP plants.
• Design and dimension MW scale solar power plants to meet specific required specifications.
• Assess the technical and economic performance of MW scale solar power plants
• Explain and describe the optimization methodology used for proposing a specific plant configuration when in response to competitive bid tenders for project development.
• Describe the role of key actors in the value chain of solar power plants, both for PV and CSP, from plant conception, through development, operation and ultimately decommissioning.

MJ2411 "Renewable Energy Technology" 6cr, or equivalent
MJ2405 "Sustainable Power Generation" 6cr, or equivalent
MJ2409 "Applied Energy Technology" 9cr, or equivalent

Concentrating Solar Power Technology - Principles, Developments and Applications (2012). Lovegrove & Stein. Woodhead Publishing. ISBN :9781845697693

Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Power Plants - A Project Developer's Guide, IFC (2015)

Concentrating Solar Power Technology - Principles, Developments and Applications (2012). Lovegrove & Stein. Woodhead Publishing. ISBN :9781845697693

Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Power Plants - A Project Developer's Guide, IFC (2015)

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

• PROA - Project 1, 3.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
• TENA - Exam, 3.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Björn Laumert

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.