Analysis of Solar-Thermal Power Plants With Thermal Energy Storage and Solar-Hybrid Operation Strategy

Selected solar-hybrid power plants for operation in base-load as well as midload were analyzed regarding supply security (dispatchable power due to hybridization with fossil fuel) and low CO2 emissions (due to integration of thermal energy storage). The power plants were modeled with different sizes of solar fields and different storage capacities and analyzed on an annual basis. The results were compared to each other and to a conventional fossil-fired combined cycle in terms of technical, economical, and ecological figures. The results of this study show that in comparison to a conventional fossil-fired combined cycle, the potential to reduce the CO2 emissions is high for solar-thermal power plants operated in base-load, especially with large solar fields and high storage capacities. However, for dispatchable power generation and supply security it is obvious that in any case a certain amount of additional fossil fuel is required. No analyzed solar-hybrid power plant shows at the same time advantages in terms of low CO2 emissions and low levelized electricity cost (LEC). While power plants with solar-hybrid combined cycle (SHCC®, Particle-Tower) show interesting LEC, the power plants with steam turbine (Salt-Tower, Parabolic Trough, CO2-Tower) have low CO2 emissions.

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Parameterization of High Solar Share Gas Turbine Systems

Volume 6: Oil and Gas Applications; Concentrating Solar Power Plants; Steam Turbines; Wind Energy ◽

10.1115/gt2012-68608 ◽

2012 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Stephan Heide ◽

Christian Felsmann ◽

Uwe Gampe ◽

Sven Boje ◽

Bernd Gericke ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gas Turbine ◽

Power Plants ◽

Planning Process ◽

Pressure Ratio ◽

Thermal Power ◽

Combined Cycle ◽

Process Models ◽

Solar Thermal ◽

Thermal Power Plants ◽

Solar Thermal Power

Existing solar thermal power plants are based on steam turbine cycles. While their process temperature is limited, solar gas turbine (GT) systems provide the opportunity to utilize solar heat at a much higher temperature. Therefore there is potential to improve the efficiency of future solar thermal power plants. Solar based heat input to substitute fuel requires specific GT features. Currently the portfolio of available GTs with these features is restricted. Only small capacity research plants are in service or in planning. Process layout and technology studies for high solar share GT systems have been carried out and have already been reported by the authors. While these investigations are based on a commercial 10MW class GT, this paper addresses the parameterization of high solar share GT systems and is not restricted to any type of commercial GT. Three configurations of solar hybrid GT cycles are analyzed. Besides recuperated and simple GT with bottoming Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC), a conventional combined cycle is considered. The study addresses the GT parameterization. Therefore parametric process models are used for simulation. Maximum electrical efficiency and associated optimum compressor pressure ratio πC are derived at design conditions. The pressure losses of the additional solar components of solar hybrid GTs have a different adversely effect on the investigated systems. Further aspects like high ambient temperature, availability of water and influence of compressor pressure level on component design are discussed as well. The present study is part of the R&D project Hybrid High Solar Share Gas Turbine Systems (HYGATE) which is funded by the German Ministry for the Environment, Nature and Nuclear Safety and the Ministry of Economics and Technology.

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4-E (Energy-Exergy-Environment-Economic) Analysis of Stand-Alone Solar Thermal Power Plants and Solar-Coal Hybrid Power Plants

Journal of Fundamentals of Renewable Energy and Applications ◽

10.4303/jfrea/r120308 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

K. S. Reddy ◽

Vikramaditya A. Devaraj

Keyword(s):

Economic Analysis ◽

Power Plants ◽

Thermal Power ◽

Solar Thermal ◽

Thermal Power Plants ◽

Hybrid Power ◽

Solar Thermal Power

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Analysis of Carbon Saving by the Adoption of Electric Vehicles in a Region Where Electricity Generation is Dominated by Thermal Power Plants

Strategic Planning for Energy and the Environment ◽

10.13052/spee1048-4236.39146 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Parakram Pyakurel ◽

Filipe Quintal ◽

James Auger ◽

Julian Hanna

Keyword(s):

Co2 Emissions ◽

Electric Vehicles ◽

Power Plants ◽

Fossil Fuels ◽

Fossil Fuel ◽

Thermal Power ◽

Primary Source ◽

Electricity Production ◽

Thermal Power Plants ◽

Electrical Demand

One method of reducing atmospheric CO2 emissions in the transportation sector is the replacement of conventional fossil fuel-based vehicles with Electric Vehicles (EVs). However, fossil fuels are still the primary source of electricity production in many regions and the utilization of EVs in such regions increases the electricity demand because of battery charging. This results in increased burning of fossil fuels by thermal power plants and therefore can offset savings in CO2 emissions resulting from the adoption of EVs. In this paper, we consider a scenario where all fossil fuel-based conventional vehicles are replaced by EVs and then estimate the net CO2 emission savings resulting from the adoption of EVs in a region where electricity is primarily supplied by thermal plants. Only emissions generated during the operational phase of vehicle use are considered; emissions during the production phase are not considered. The region under consideration is Madeira, Portugal where thermal plants account for 80% of the total electricity produced. Our findings suggest that although EVs have huge potential to save CO2 emissions, a substantial amount of the savings can be offset due to the increased burning of fossil fuels by thermal plants to meet the electrical demand of charging batteries.

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