Optimizing the Value-to-Cost Ratio for Central Receiver Electric Power Plants

1989 ◽  
Vol 111 (3) ◽  
pp. 193-203
Author(s):  
James A. Dirks ◽  
Clement J. Chiang
Keyword(s):  
Energy Cost ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Computer Code ◽  
Weather Data ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Electric Power Plants ◽  
A Value ◽  
Central Receiver ◽  
Solar Plant

Typically, solar thermal power plants are designed to minimize the levelized energy cost. However, to maximize the benefit of a solar plant and, hence, maximize the wealth of an investor or a utility, a solar plant should be designed and operated with the objective of maximizing the value-to-cost ratio. This paper describes a value and cost analysis of solar central receiver power plants using molten salt external receiver technology. These plants were assumed to operate within the service area of the Southern California Edison Company. The SOLERGY computer code was used to simulate the performance of the solar plants using 1984 weather data for Barstow, California. A value-maximizing dispatch strategy that uses thermal storage to shift operation of the turbine from nonpeak demand periods to the utility’s peak demand period, is shown to greatly increase the value of a solar central receiver power plant with little increase in the levelized energy cost. Results are presented as functions of storage capacity, type of dispatch strategy, size of the field relative to the turbine, and turbine size.

scholarly journals Solar Energy Potential and Feasibility Study of a 10MW Grid-connected Solar Plant in Libya

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 5358-5366
Author(s):  
Y. Kassem ◽  
H. Camur ◽  
O. A. M. Abughinda
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Energy Potential ◽  
Oil Reserves ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
A Value ◽  
Maximum Value ◽  
Solar Plant

Libya is currently interested in utilizing renewable energy technologies to reduce the energy dependence on oil reserves and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. The objective of this study is to investigate the feasibility of a 10MW grid-connected PV power plant in Libya. NASA data are used to analyze the global horizontal irradiation, direct normal irradiation, and air temperature of 22 selected locations in Libya and to evaluate the potential of solar energy. RETScreen software is used to estimate the energy production, GHG emissions, and financial parameters for the 22 locations. Based on the solar atlas map, it is noticed that the highest global horizontal irradiation is in the southern part of Libya, which ranged from 2100 to 2500kWh/m2. These results indicate that Libya has a huge solar energy potential that can be used to ‎generate electricity. Moreover, based on techno-economic results, it is observed that the highest electricity generation of 22067.13MWh is recorded at Al Κufrah and the lowest at Al Jabal al Akhdar with a value of 17891.38MWh. Furthermore, Al Kufrah and Murzuq are the best locations for the future installation of PV power plants from annual energy and the economic parameters point of view. The maximum value of power that can be generated by the plant was estimated to be 22.06GW.

scholarly journals Design of thermal power plant modernization & rehabilitation model for the newmarket demands and challenges

2020 ◽  
pp. 188-188
Author(s):  
Martin Bricl ◽  
Jurij Avsec
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Complete Model ◽  
Software Environment ◽  
Central Receiver ◽  
Receiver System ◽  
Rehabilitation Model

The article presents the model for the rehabilitation of existing conventional thermal power plants in order to lower the consumption of fossil fuels. Instead of them, the model uses an alternative energy source - sun irradiation. The proposed rehabilitation model is theoretically calculated and designed. The model in the software environment Matlab Simulink was developed, based on previous calculations and determined parameters. In this article, it is presented the combination of Clausius - Rankine process and solar central receiver system. The model enables simultaneous calculations of exit model parameters for the complete model, based on predetermined entering parameters of the model.

Comparative System Performance Analysis of Direct Steam Generation Central Receiver Solar Thermal Power Plants in Megawatt Range

2014 ◽  
Vol 136 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Sanz-Bermejo ◽  
Víctor Gallardo-Natividad ◽  
José Gonzalez-Aguilar ◽  
Manuel Romero
Keyword(s):  
Power Plants ◽  
Superheated Steam ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Saturated Steam ◽  
Thermal Power Plants ◽  
Steam Generation ◽  
Optical Efficiency ◽  
Solar Thermal Power ◽  
Central Receiver

This work proposes and analyses several integration schemes specially conceived for direct steam generation (DSG) in megawatt (MW) range central receiver solar thermal power plants. It is focused on the optical performance related to the heliostat field and the arrangement of receiver absorbers, and the management of steam within a Rankine cycle in the range between 40–160 bar and 400–550 °C at design point. The solar receiver is composed of one single element for saturated steam systems or two vertically aligned separated units, which correspond to the boiler and the superheater (dual-receiver concept), for superheated steam solar thermal power plants. From a fixed heliostat field obtained after layout optimization for the saturated steam solar plant the heliostat field is divided in two concentric circular trapezoids where each of them independently supplies the solar energy required by the boiler and the superheater for the different steam conditions. It has been observed that the arrangement locating the boiler above the superheater provides a slightly higher optical efficiency of the collector system, formed by the solar field and the receiver, compared with the reverse option with superheater above boiler. Besides, two-zone solar fields provide lower performances than the entire heliostat layout aiming at one absorber (saturation systems). Optical efficiency of two-zone solar fields decreases almost linearly with the increment of superheater heat demand. Concerning the whole solar collector, heliostat field plus receiver, the performance decreases with temperature and almost linearly with the steam pressure. For the intervals of steam pressure and temperature under analysis, solar collector of saturated steam plant achieves an optical efficiency 3.2% points higher than the superheated steam system at 40 bar and 400 °C, and the difference increases up to 9.3% points when compared with superheated system at 160 bar and 550 °C. On the other hand, superheated steam systems at 550 °C and pressure between 60 and 80 bar provide the highest overall efficiency, and it is 2.3% points higher than performance of a saturated steam solar plant at 69 bar. However, if saturated steam cycle integrates an intermediate reheat process, both would provide similar performances. Finally, it has been observed that central receiver systems (CRS) producing saturated steam and superheated steam at 500 °C operating at 40 bar provide similar performances.

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