Use of Concentrated Solar Power Technology for a High Temperature Processes: Case Study of Uzbekistan

The paper examines the state and prospects for the development of renewable energy use in Uzbekistan, presents the specific features and conditions of concentrated solar power (CSP) technology, analyzes the technological capabilities of high-temperature solar furnaces as one of the promising areas of CSP technology, and notes specific scientific directions in this area. A comparative analysis of the technical and optical-energy characteristics of high-temperature solar furnaces of well-known research centers and their application in solving of actual scientific and technical problems is carried out. The main parameters and energy characteristics of the Uzbek 1000 kWt solar furnace in Parkent (BSF) in comparison with the similar French (Odeillo) furnace are given. Special equipment and stands installed in the focal zone of the furnace for melting, synthesis, heat treatment and complex testing of various technical products in high-temperature conditions are presented. By the example of the analysis of the process of quenching high-temperature materials, some features of high-temperature processes are shown.