Assessing the influence of thermal energy storage on the performance of concentrating solar power plant

Abstract

Site‐based changes in the yearly solar radiation affect the plant performance parameters like efficiency, output, and cost of generation of concentrated solar power (CSP). The risks involved in setting up the plant can be minimized by performing simulations for a proper understanding of performance parameters. The present work considers detailed techno‐economic viability using simulations to weigh out the performance dissemblance of CSP plants with and without thermal storage using parabolic trough concentrator with that of a photovoltaic system. Jodhpur, India is chosen as a test site for an assessment, and the results are validated with coequal plant in Andasol, Spain. GREENIUS is used to create a model 50 MW CSP plant. The simulation results are found to be in close conjunction, at error less than 8%. A detailed techno‐economic study was also done to clinch the optimum solar field based on power generation costs. Each design condition has arrived at least the cost of power generation. The result shows that CSP plant with 7‐hour storage is the choicest combination in terms of the techno‐economic bargain.