Technical-economic feasibility analysis of a large-scale parabolic trough collectors solar power plant in Brazil

Abstract

This study aims to present the results of the application of a computational tool developed to perform a technical-economic feasibility analysis of large-scale Parabolic Trough Collectors (PTC) solar power plants in Brazil. The gross revenue from cash flow is obtained through an energy trading model for the Regulated Contracting Environment of the Brazilian Electricity Market. The economic viability analysis uses the Net Present Value, Modified Internal Rate of Return, Discounted Payback, and Levelized Cost of Energy indicators. The parametric structural optimization method is used to optimize the technical parameters of the plant. A case study was conducted to analyse the feasibility of implementing a 100 MW PTC in the five regions of Brazil. The results indicated that the best region in Brazil to receive this technology is the northeastern region. However, the project is economically unfeasible in all cities analysed. Therefore, a sensitivity analysis of the main parameters that affect the project's net present value is carried out to evaluate the impact of the economic parameters on the economic viability of an optimized PTC plant located in the city with the best technical performance. An optimistic scenario was evaluated considering the system's response to the parameters investigated in the sensitivity analysis. For this scenario, the results pointed to the project's economic viability.