scholarly journals Effect of Solar Tracking on the Economic Viability of a Large-Scale PV Power Plant

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 55-65
Author(s):  
Ephraim Bonah Agyekum ◽  
Bright Kwame Afornu ◽  
Michael Nii Sanka Ansah
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Discount Rate ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Tracking System ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
Cost Of Energy ◽  
Solar Tracking ◽  
The Cost

AbstractThis paper evaluated the economic potential of three different photovoltaic energy technologies at a selected site, Wa, in the Upper West region of Ghana. The cost of energy and net present value metrics were used to ascertain the cost-effectiveness of these technologies (fixed, single and double axis tracker systems). From the analysis, all three technologies are economically viable at the selected site, however, a sensitivity analysis shows that the fixed axis tracker is unviable at a discount rate above 2 % whiles that of the single and double axis power plants also become impracticable at a discount rate above 6 % using the financial input parameters adopted for the study. This is an indication that, even though the selected site may have the required solar radiation for the development of large-scale PV power plant, there is the need to create the necessary conducive financial environment to enable such projects to become viable. The double axis tracking system was identified as the optimum system that should be deployed at the selected site to get the best in terms of affordability of electricity to consumers and equity payback.

scholarly journals Reducing the Cost of Energy From Parabolic Trough Solar Power Plants

Solar Energy ◽  
2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Price ◽  
David Kearney
Keyword(s):  
Mojave Desert ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Parabolic Trough ◽  
Cost Of Energy ◽  
Solar Power Plants ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Fossil Fuel Power Plants

Parabolic trough solar technology is the most proven and lowest cost large-scale solar power technology available today, primarily because of the nine large commercial-scale solar power plants that are operating in the California Mojave Desert. However, no new plants have been built during the past ten years because the cost of power from these plants is more expensive than power from conventional fossil fuel power plants. This paper reviews the current cost of energy and the potential for reducing the cost of energy from parabolic trough solar power plant technology based on the latest technological advancements and projected improvements from industry and sponsored R&D. The paper also looks at the impact of project financing and incentives on the cost of energy.

scholarly journals Comparative performance of PPPs and traditional procurement projects in Indonesia

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gigih Udi Atmo ◽  
Colin Duffield ◽  
Lihai Zhang ◽  
David Ian Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Public Procurement ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Comparative Performance ◽  
Quality Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Cost

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the outcomes of Indonesian power projects as representative projects of Asian emerging economies that were procured via public-private partnerships (PPPs) and traditional public sector procurement. Power generation infrastructure delivery in emerging economies frequently seeks private participation via PPPs as one of the key mechanisms to attract private finance. Undertaking a comparative benchmark study of the outcomes of Indonesian power projects provides an opportunity to explore the historic evidence as to whether PPPs deliver better outcomes than traditional public procurement in emerging economies. Design/methodology/approach This paper reports on a study of the performance of 56 Indonesian power projects procured via either PPPs or traditional procurement. First, it focusses on project time and cost outcomes of power plant facility during construction and commissioning and then extends this comparison to consider the operating availability of power plants during their first two years of operation. Findings The results indicate that PPP projects had superior time and operating availability to those procured traditionally whereas no significant differences were identified in the cost performance between PPPs and traditionally procured projects. These findings highlight the importance of adopting policies that are supported by broader sources of international financiers and high quality power plant developers. Research limitations/implications The quality performance analyses of projects (based on equivalent available factor indices) were limited to the power plants in the Java-Bali region where the majority of projects are large scale power plants. Practical implications This study provides an empirical basis for governments of emerging economies to select the most beneficial procurement strategy for power plant projects. It highlights the importance of selecting experienced providers and to adopt policies that attract high quality international project financiers and power plant developers. This includes the need to ensure the commercial viability of projects and to seriously consider the use of cleaner power technologies. Originality/value This study is the first to compare the outcomes of power projects in Asian emerging economies delivered via PPPs against those delivered by traditional public procurement that includes consideration of the quality of the delivered product.

scholarly journals Complementarity Roses Evaluating Spatial Complementarity in Time between Energy Resources

Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1918 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfonso Risso ◽  
Alexandre Beluco ◽  
Rita Marques Alves
Keyword(s):  
Power Plants ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Wind Farms ◽  
Renewable Resource ◽  
Energy Resources ◽  
Complete Evaluation ◽  
Hybrid Energy ◽  
Available Energy ◽  
Cost Of Energy ◽  
The Cost

Hybrid energy systems have higher initial costs than systems that are based on only one renewable resource, but allow for the fulfillment of the demands of consumer loads with lower values for the cost of energy. The possible complementarity between the resources used can contribute to a better use of the available energy. On a large scale, complementarity between power plants can serve as a tool for the management of energy resources. A complete evaluation of complementarity needs to consider three components: time complementarity, energy complementarity, and complementarity between amplitudes of variation. Complementarity can also be assessed between energy resources in one place (which may be termed temporal complementarity) and between resources at different sites (termed spatial complementarity). This paper proposes a method for quantifying spatial complementarity over time and for its expression through maps. The method suggests the establishment of a hexagonal network of cells and the determination of complementary roses for each cell that contains power plants. This article also applies the method proposed to some hydroelectric plants and wind farms in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, in southern Brazil, and present the map of spatial complementarity in time obtained.

scholarly journals Nuclear Power Plant or Solar Power Plant

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esmaeili Shayan Mostafa ◽  
Ghasemzadeh Farzaneh
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Reactors ◽  
The United States ◽  
Learning By Doing ◽  
Capital Costs ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
Track Record ◽  
The Cost

Both solar energy and nuclear energy face significant economic challenges. Sustainable energy costs have traditionally been greater than any of those associated with the growth of fossil fuel power generation, although the costs of renewable energy technologies (especially photovoltaic) have dropped. Furthermore, capital costs remain a big challenge in the nuclear generation. In many nations, the cost of building small nuclear power plants is quite large due to time, technology, and environmental and safety challenges for consumers. Such problems might not be as big for state-owned corporations or controlled industries for which utilities have quick access to cheap resources, and this partially explains why the interest for nuclear reactors in Asia is far greater than in the United States or Europe. Learning could help decrease costs for both types of technologies, but the track record for learning-by-doing in the nuclear sector is not good.

scholarly journals ANALYSIS OF TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF OPERATION OF THE WIND POWER PLANTS IN CRIMEA

2021 ◽  
pp. 31-41
Author(s):  
E. A. Bekirov ◽  
S. N. Voskresenskaya ◽  
V. V. Potenko
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Wind Power ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Wind Farm ◽  
Net Income ◽  
Wind Power Plants ◽  
Cost Of Energy ◽  
The Cost

The article provides data on the generation and consumption of electricity by a wind farm. To maintain the operability of the wind farm, it is connected to the general grid of the power system, not only for the output of generated electricity, but also for the consumption of the necessary electricity to start the operation of wind turbines. Electricity generation, payback and net profit of a wind power plant of 12 wind turbines were estimated. Subject of study. Wind power plants and their efficiency. Materials and methods. The theoretical and methodological basis is the works of domestic and foreign scientists in the field of wind energy. In the work, analytical research methods were used, including predictive calculation of the annual energy production of wind turbines. Conclusions. The instability of electricity generation using renewable energy generating units is a serious problem that affects the cost of energy produced. According to the calculations, in 14 years, provided the electricity price is equal to 1.8 rubles, the power plant will recoup the investment and begin to generate net income. The correlation coefficient was determined, which was 0.94.

Case Study: Environmental, Techno-Economic Feasibility Analysis of Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Power Plants in China Using RETScreen

2014 ◽  
Vol 672-674 ◽  
pp. 13-20
Author(s):  
Dong Po Chen ◽  
Lei Zhao ◽  
Hai Ling Li ◽  
Chun Lan Zhou ◽  
Wen Jing Wang
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Political Support ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Financial Indicators ◽  
Greenhouse Gasses ◽  
Cost Of Energy ◽  
Project Model

Photovoltaic (PV) industry in China shows more growth potential because of the favorable political support, deep market penetration will be expected to follow. A detailed and comprehensive assessment for photovoltaic (PV) power plant is extremely necessary. This paper study the feasibility and profitability of the grid connect PV power plant by analyzing a case using RETScreen photovoltaic project model. It was concluded from this study that finding the optimal tilt angle is extremely necessary for the fixed installation. All kinds of financial indicators show that the project has good profitability, whether considering greenhouse gasses reduction credits or not. In addition, the results from sensitivity and risk analysis showed that avoided cost of energy、renewable energy production and initial cost have great effects on net present value (NPV). The effects of annual cost, debt rate and debt term on NPV are so small that we can ignore their impact. This study is of high value when attempting to analyze PV power plants comprehensively.

Waste minimization program in Shuaiba Industrial Area

1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (10-11) ◽  
pp. 289-295
Author(s):  
Saleh Al-Muzaini
Keyword(s):  
Solid Waste ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Industrial Area ◽  
Waste Minimization ◽  
Regulatory Body ◽  
Eastern Sector ◽  
Western Sector ◽  
Petroleum Companies ◽  
The Cost

The Shuaiba Industrial Area (SIA) is located about 50 km south of Kuwait City. It accommodates most of the large-scale industries in Kuwait. The total area of the SIA (both eastern and western sectors) is about 22.98 million m2. Fifteen plants are located in the eastern sector and 23 in the western sector, including two petrochemical companies, three refineries, two power plants, a melamine company, an industrial gas corporation, a paper products company and, two steam electricity generating stations, in addition to several other industries. Therefore, only 30 percent of the land in the SIA's eastern sector and 70 percent of land in the SIA's western sector is available for future expansion. Presently, industries in the SIA generate approximately 204,000 t of solid waste. With future development in the industries in the SIA, the estimated quantities will reach 240,000 t. The Shuaiba Area Authority (SAA), a governmental regulatory body responsible for planning and development in the SIA, has recognized the problem of solid waste and has developed an industrial waste minimization program. This program would help to reduce the quantity of waste generated within the SIA and thereby reduce the cost of waste management. This paper presents a description of the waste minimization program and how it is to be implemented by major petroleum companies. The protocols employed in the waste minimization program are detailed.

scholarly journals Estimating CO2 Emissions from Large Scale Coal-Fired Power Plants Using OCO-2 Observations and Emission Inventories

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 811
Author(s):  
Yaqin Hu ◽  
Yusheng Shi
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Gaussian Model ◽  
Point Sources ◽  
Emission Inventories ◽  
Bottom Up

The concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) has increased rapidly worldwide, aggravating the global greenhouse effect, and coal-fired power plants are one of the biggest contributors of greenhouse gas emissions in China. However, efficient methods that can quantify CO2 emissions from individual coal-fired power plants with high accuracy are needed. In this study, we estimated the CO2 emissions of large-scale coal-fired power plants using Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) satellite data based on remote sensing inversions and bottom-up methods. First, we mapped the distribution of coal-fired power plants, displaying the total installed capacity, and identified two appropriate targets, the Waigaoqiao and Qinbei power plants in Shanghai and Henan, respectively. Then, an improved Gaussian plume model method was applied for CO2 emission estimations, with input parameters including the geographic coordinates of point sources, wind vectors from the atmospheric reanalysis of the global climate, and OCO-2 observations. The application of the Gaussian model was improved by using wind data with higher temporal and spatial resolutions, employing the physically based unit conversion method, and interpolating OCO-2 observations into different resolutions. Consequently, CO2 emissions were estimated to be 23.06 ± 2.82 (95% CI) Mt/yr using the Gaussian model and 16.28 Mt/yr using the bottom-up method for the Waigaoqiao Power Plant, and 14.58 ± 3.37 (95% CI) and 14.08 Mt/yr for the Qinbei Power Plant, respectively. These estimates were compared with three standard databases for validation: the Carbon Monitoring for Action database, the China coal-fired Power Plant Emissions Database, and the Carbon Brief database. The comparison found that previous emission inventories spanning different time frames might have overestimated the CO2 emissions of one of two Chinese power plants on the two days that the measurements were made. Our study contributes to quantifying CO2 emissions from point sources and helps in advancing satellite-based monitoring techniques of emission sources in the future; this helps in reducing errors due to human intervention in bottom-up statistical methods.

scholarly journals Economic feasibility of developing large scale solar photovoltaic power plants in Spain

2019 ◽  
Vol 122 ◽  
pp. 02004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Menéndez ◽  
Jorge Loredo
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Solar Irradiation ◽  
Solar Photovoltaic ◽  
Solar Pv ◽  
Photovoltaic Energy ◽  
Profitability Analysis ◽  
Photovoltaic Power

In 2017, electricity generation from renewable sources contributed more than one quarter (30.7%) to total EU-28 gross electricity consumption. Wind power is for the first time the most important source, followed closely by hydro power. The growth in electricity from photovoltaic energy has been dramatic, rising from just 3.8 TWh in 2007, reaching a level of 119.5 TWh in 2017. Over this period, the contribution of photovoltaic energy to all electricity generated in the EU-28 from renewable energy sources increased from 0.7% to 12.3%. During this period the investment cost of a photovoltaic power plant has decreased considerably. Fundamentally, the cost of solar panels and inverters has decreased by more than 50%. The solar photovoltaic energy potential depends on two parameters: global solar irradiation and photovoltaic panel efficiency. The average solar irradiation in Spain is 1,600 kWh m-2. This paper analyzes the economic feasibility of developing large scale solar photovoltaic power plants in Spain. Equivalent hours between 800-1,800 h year-1 and output power between 100-400 MW have been considered. The profitability analysis has been carried out considering different prices of the electricity produced in the daily market (50-60 € MWh-1). Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) were estimated for all scenarios analyzed. A solar PV power plant with 400 MW of power and 1,800 h year-1, reaches a NPV of 196 M€ and the IRR is 11.01%.

Exergoeconomic Analysis of Intercooled, Reheated and Recuperated Gas Turbine Cycles With Air Film Blade Cooling

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Waleed El-Damaty ◽  
Mohamed Gadalla
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Cost Calculation ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Cooling Systems ◽  
Thermodynamic Performance ◽  
Exergoeconomic Analysis ◽  
The Cost

For many years, thermodynamic analysis was considered to be the principal tool that is used to predict the performance of a power plant. Recently, the environmental effect and the cost of power plants have been considered as important as the thermodynamic performance in design of power plants. Thus, researchers started to adopt a relevantly new approach called the exergoeconomic analysis which combines the thermodynamic technicalities as well as the economic analysis to design power plants. The exergoeconomic analysis provides crucial information that helps in foreseeing not only the thermodynamic performance but also all economic variables related to power plants. Increasing the efficiency of the power plant has been the major concern in power plants. Thus, the global approach of reaching high turbine inlet temperatures to improve the efficiency of power plants, has exposed the turbine blades to some serious problems. Thereby, cooling the turbine blades has become an important aspect that needs to be taken care of during the power plant operation. In this paper, a cooled gas turbine with intercooler, recuperator and reheater is adopted where it is incorporated with a cooling system. An exergoeconomic analysis accompanied by a sensitivity analysis was performed on the gas turbine cycle to determine the exergo-economic factor and the relative cost difference in addition to study the effect of different variables on the gas turbine thermal and exergetic efficiency, net specific work and the total cost rate. Average cost theory approach was adopted from various thermo-economic methodologies to determine the cost calculation during this investigation. The results showed a reduction in the total coolant mass flow rate in the base case where no cooling systems are integrated from 3.349 kg/s to 3.01 kg/s, 2.995 kg/s and 2.977 kg/s in the case of integrating the cooling systems triple stage Maisotsenko desiccant, triple stage precooling Maisotsenko desiccant and triple stage extra cooling Maisotsenko desiccant, respectively. Accordingly, the thermal efficiency has increased to reach 52.69%, 52.89% and 53.12% by the integration of TS-MD, TS-PMD and TS-EMD cooling systems, respectively.

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