Concentrated Solar Power in Africa

CSP 1
CONCENTRATED SOLAR POWER IN AFRICA
by (Student Name)
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CSP 2
Executive Summary
Africa’s economic goals for the years 2030 to 2050 identified modern solar technologies
as renewable options, with the collective capacity to meet more than 20% of the continent’s total
energy demands. Currently, the most common forms of renewable technology solutions entail
biomass, which is harnessed mostly at household level, to cater for cooking. Several other
countries also harness wind and hydropower in the production of electricity. However, more
recently, concentrated solar power (CSP) technology has proven to have great potential in the
provision of electricity, even in rural off-grid locations. Growing body of research suggests that
this may be due to development with regard to increasing and enhancing the storage capacity of
CSP power plants. It may, thus, contribute to economic empowerment, and the abolition of
Africa’s energy poverty. Opportunities for value growth of CSP plants are, nonetheless, facing
cost-related, and regulation constraints.

CSP 3
Table of Contents
1. Introduction..............................................................................................................................4
2. Current State of CSP Technology............................................................................................5
2.1. Power Applications...........................................................................................................5
2.2. CSP Technology................................................................................................................6
3. Effect of CSP Technology on the Energy System and Other Fuels.........................................7
3.1. Archetype Shifts in All Energy Systems.............................................................................7
3.2. Reduced Reliance on Traditional Combustion.................................................................8
3.3. Investment Shifts.............................................................................................................10
3.4. Reduced Costs in Parallel developments........................................................................10
4. Current and Prospective Technical Developments................................................................11
4.1. Storage Systems...............................................................................................................11
4.2. Hybrid Systems................................................................................................................11
5. Barriers and Opportunities, with Associated Costs................................................................12
5.1. Barriers...........................................................................................................................12
5.1.1. Capital Intensive......................................................................................................12
5.1.2. Level Costs of Traditional Technologies.................................................................13
5.1.3. Fossil Fuel Subsidies...............................................................................................13
5.2. Opportunities..................................................................................................................14
5.2.1. Increasing Support...................................................................................................14
5.2.2. Cost Reduction Potential.........................................................................................14
5.2.3. Capacity for Improvement.......................................................................................15

CSP 4
6. Conclusion, and Personal View..............................................................................................16
References......................................................................................................................................17