Model-based analysis of the viability of concentrating solar power plants

Abstract

This paper presents an assessment of the effect of thermal energy storage and combined heat and power production on the profitability of concentrating solar power (CSP) plants. Nowadays CSP plants produce electricity for a higher cost than commercial photovoltaic (PV) systems, therefore the mentioned opportunities enabled by the intermediate heat production have a key role in the economic viability of the technology. Models were established to describe the operation of both the parabolic trough and solar power tower systems. A Matlab simulation program was created based on the models in order to support the optimal design of these plants and perform annual energy production estimations based on meteorological databases. Thermal energy storage is a relatively cheap method even for long time storage, and it not only increases the capacity factor, but also improves the average efficiency of the plant. Furthermore a storage also improves the availability and dispatchability of the plant, which is a very important factor in an energy system with high renewable share. Cogeneration is also feasible in CSP plants, the only difficulty here is to find a heat demand coinciding with the production.