Integrated Solar Cycles for Natural Gas and Coal Power Plants

As fossil fuel prices rise and emission allowances are implemented, solar augmented steam cycles might be an attractive option for energy companies. The system utilizes steam generated by a solar field in a conventional natural gas or coal-powered steam cycle, offsetting some of the fuel required to generate power. Many energy companies are interested in adding solar power to their generating mix, but today most solar applications are not cost-competitive with other power generating options. Solar augmentation potentially is the lowest cost option for adding solar power to the generation fleet. The highest intensity solar energy typically is within a few hours of peak summer loads, making it a particularly attractive renewable option.

Download Full-text

Integration Solar Cycles for Natural Gas and Coal Power Plants

ASME 2009 3rd International Conference on Energy Sustainability, Volume 1 ◽

10.1115/es2009-90296 ◽

2009 ◽

Author(s):

Cara Libby ◽

Gary Golden ◽

Robin Bell

Keyword(s):

Natural Gas ◽

Power Plants ◽

Solar Power ◽

Solar Cycles ◽

Fuel Prices ◽

Attractive Option ◽

Coal Power Plants ◽

Energy Companies ◽

Solar Field ◽

Peak Summer

Download Full-text

Weather-Driven Scenario Analysis for Decommissioning Coal Power Plants in High PV Penetration Grids

Energies ◽

10.3390/en14092389 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (9) ◽

pp. 2389

Author(s):

Samuel Matthew G. Dumlao ◽

Keiichi N. Ishihara

Keyword(s):

Solar Energy ◽

Scenario Analysis ◽

Power Plants ◽

Solar Power ◽

Flow Analysis ◽

Policy Decision ◽

Hourly Temperature ◽

Coal Power Plants ◽

Coal Power ◽

Pv Penetration

Despite coal being one of the major contributors of CO2, it remains a cheap and stable source of electricity. However, several countries have turned to solar energy in their goal to “green” their energy generation. Solar energy has the potential to displace coal with support from natural gas. In this study, an hourly power flow analysis was conducted to understand the potential, limitations, and implications of using solar energy as a driver for decommissioning coal power plants. To ensure the results’ robustness, the study presents a straightforward weather-driven scenario analysis that utilizes historical weather and electricity demand to generate representative scenarios. This approach was tested in Japan’s southernmost region, since it represents a regional grid with high PV penetration and a fleet of coal plants older than 40 years. The results revealed that solar power could decommission 3.5 GW of the 7 GW coal capacity in Kyushu. It was discovered that beyond 12 GW, solar power could not reduce the minimum coal capacity, but it could still reduce coal generation. By increasing the solar capacity from 10 GW to 20 GW and the LNG quota from 10 TWh to 28 TWh, solar and LNG electricty generation could reduce the emissions by 37%, but the cost will increase by 5.6%. Results also show various ways to reduce emissions, making the balance between cost and CO2 a policy decision. The results emphasized that investing in solar power alone will not be enough, and another source of energy is necessary, especially for summer and winter. The weather-driven approach highlighted the importance of weather in the analysis, as it affected the results to varying degrees. The approach, with minor changes, could easily be replicated in other nations or regions provided that historical hourly temperature, irradiance, and demand data are available.

Download Full-text

Comparative Modeling of a Parabolic Trough Collectors Solar Power Plant with MARS Models

Energies ◽

10.3390/en11010037 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 37 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Jose Rogada ◽

Lourdes Barcia ◽

Juan Martinez ◽

Mario Menendez ◽

Francisco de Cos Juez

Keyword(s):

Heat Transfer ◽

Water Vapor ◽

Power Plant ◽

Solar Radiation ◽

Thermal Energy ◽

Power Plants ◽

Solar Power ◽

Rankine Cycle ◽

Heat Transfer Fluid ◽

Solar Field

Power plants producing energy through solar fields use a heat transfer fluid that lends itself to be influenced and changed by different variables. In solar power plants, a heat transfer fluid (HTF) is used to transfer the thermal energy of solar radiation through parabolic collectors to a water vapor Rankine cycle. In this way, a turbine is driven that produces electricity when coupled to an electric generator. These plants have a heat transfer system that converts the solar radiation into heat through a HTF, and transfers that thermal energy to the water vapor heat exchangers. The best possible performance in the Rankine cycle, and therefore in the thermal plant, is obtained when the HTF reaches its maximum temperature when leaving the solar field (SF). In addition, it is necessary that the HTF does not exceed its own maximum operating temperature, above which it degrades. The optimum temperature of the HTF is difficult to obtain, since the working conditions of the plant can change abruptly from moment to moment. Guaranteeing that this HTF operates at its optimal temperature to produce electricity through a Rankine cycle is a priority. The oil flowing through the solar field has the disadvantage of having a thermal limit. Therefore, this research focuses on trying to make sure that this fluid comes out of the solar field with the highest possible temperature. Modeling using data mining is revealed as an important tool for forecasting the performance of this kind of power plant. The purpose of this document is to provide a model that can be used to optimize the temperature control of the fluid without interfering with the normal operation of the plant. The results obtained with this model should be necessarily contrasted with those obtained in a real plant. Initially, we compare the PID (proportional–integral–derivative) models used in previous studies for the optimization of this type of plant with modeling using the multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) model.

Download Full-text

A Review of Conventional and Innovative- Sustainable Methods for Cleaning Reflectors in Concentrating Solar Power Plants

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su10113937 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 3937 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Sahar Bouaddi ◽

Aránzazu Fernández-García ◽

Chris Sansom ◽

Jon Sarasua ◽

Fabian Wolfertstetter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Power Plants ◽

Solar Power ◽

Alternative Methods ◽

Concentrating Solar Power ◽

Water Based ◽

Solar Power Plants ◽

Cleaning Methods ◽

The Cost ◽

Solar Field ◽

High Reflectance

The severe soiling of reflectors deployed in arid and semi arid locations decreases their reflectance and drives down the yield of the concentrating solar power (CSP) plants. To alleviate this issue, various sets of methods are available. The operation and maintenance (O&M) staff should opt for sustainable cleaning methods that are safe and environmentally friendly. To restore high reflectance, the cleaning vehicles of CSP plants must adapt to the constraints of each technology and to the layout of reflectors in the solar field. Water based methods are currently the most commonly used in CSP plants but they are not sustainable due to water scarcity and high soiling rates. The recovery and reuse of washing water can compensate for these methods and make them a more reasonable option for mediterranean and desert environments. Dry methods, on the other hand, are gaining more attraction as they are more suitable for desert regions. Some of these methods rely on ultrasonic wave or vibration for detaching the dust bonding from the reflectors surface, while other methods, known as preventive methods, focus on reducing the soiling by modifying the reflectors surface and incorporating self cleaning features using special coatings. Since the CSP plants operators aim to achieve the highest profit by minimizing the cost of cleaning while maintaining a high reflectance, optimizing the cleaning parameters and strategies is of great interest. This work presents the conventional water-based methods that are currently used in CSP plants in addition to sustainable alternative methods for dust removal and soiling prevention. Also, the cleaning effectiveness, the environmental impacts and the economic aspects of each technology are discussed.

Download Full-text

Current and Future Economics of Parabolic Trough Technology

ASME 2007 Energy Sustainability Conference ◽

10.1115/es2007-36171 ◽

2007 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Henry Price ◽

Mark Mehos ◽

Chuck Kutscher ◽

Nate Blair

Keyword(s):

Natural Gas ◽

Power Systems ◽

Power Plants ◽

Solar Power ◽

Power Market ◽

Parabolic Trough ◽

Cost Of Electricity ◽

Near Term ◽

The Cost ◽

Utility Scale

Solar energy is the largest energy resource on the planet. Unfortunately, it is largely untapped at present, in part because sunlight is a very diffuse energy source. Concentrating solar power (CSP) systems use low cost reflectors to concentrate the sun’s energy to allow it to be used more effectively. Concentrating solar power systems are also well suited for large solar power plants that can be connected into the existing utility infrastructure. These two facts mean that CSP systems can be used to make a meaningful difference in energy supply in a relatively short period. CSP plants are best suited for the arid climates in the Southwestern United States, Northern Mexico, and many desert regions around the globe. A recent Western Governors’ Association siting study [1] found that the solar potential in the U.S. Southwest is at least 4 times the total U.S. electric demand even after eliminating urban areas, environmentally sensitive areas, and all regions with a ground slope greater than 1%.While it is currently not practical to power the whole county from the desert southwest, only a small portion of this area is needed to make a substantial contribution to future U.S. electric needs. Many of the best sites are near existing high-voltage transmission lines and close to major power load centers in the Southwest (Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Phoenix). In addition, the power provided by CSP technologies has strong coincidence with peak electric demand, especially in the Southwest where peak demand corresponds in large part to air conditioning loads. Parabolic troughs currently represent the most cost-effective CSP technology for developing large utility-scale solar electric power systems. These systems are also one of the most mature solar technologies, with commercial utility-scale plants that have been operating for over 20 years. In addition, substantial improvements have been made to the technology in recent years including improved efficiency and the addition of thermal energy storage. The main issue for parabolic trough technology is that the cost of electricity is still higher than the cost of electricity from conventional natural gas-fired power plants. Although higher natural gas prices are helping to substantially reduce the difference between the cost of electricity from solar and natural gas plants, in the near-term increased incentives such as the 30% Investment Tax Credit (ITC) are needed to make CSP technology approach competitiveness with natural gas power on a financial basis. In the longer term, additional reductions in the cost of the technology will be necessary. This paper looks at the near-term potential for parabolic trough technology to compete with conventional fossil power resources in the firm, intermediate load power market and at the longer term potential to compete in the baseload power market. The paper will consider the potential impact of a reduced carbon emissions future.

Download Full-text

Performance Evaluation of an Integrated Solar Combined Cycle

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

10.1115/gt2012-68134 ◽

2012 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Collins O. Ojo ◽

Damien Pont ◽

Enrico Conte ◽

Richard Carroni

Keyword(s):

Solar Energy ◽

Capital Investment ◽

Power Plants ◽

Solar Power ◽

Combined Cycle ◽

Electricity Production ◽

Water Steam ◽

Plant Operator ◽

Central Receiver ◽

Solar Field

The integration of steam from a central-receiver solar field into a combined cycle power plant (CCPP) provides an option to convert solar energy into electricity at the highest possible efficiency, because of the high pressure and temperature conditions of the solar steam, and at the lowest capital investment, because the water-steam cycle of the CCPP is in shared use with the solar field. From the operational point of view, the plant operator has the option to compensate the variability of the solar energy with fossil fuel electricity production, to use the solar energy to save fuel and to boost the plant power output, while reducing the environmental footprint of the plant operation. Alstom is able to integrate very large amounts of solar energy in its new combined-cycle power plants, in the range of the largest solar field ever built (Ivanpah Solar Power Facility, California, 3 units, total 392 MWel). The performance potential of such integration is analyzed both at base load and at part load operation of the plant. Additionally, the potential for solar retrofit of existing combined-cycle power plants is assessed. In this case, other types of concentrating solar power technologies than central receiver (linear Fresnel and trough) may be best suited to the specific conditions. Alstom is able to integrate any of these technologies into existing combined-cycle power plants.

Download Full-text

THE EFFECT OF DOMESTIC AIR POLLUTION MITIGATION AND FRACKING ON RETIREMENTS OF COAL POWER PLANTS

Climate Change Economics ◽

10.1142/s2010007819500088 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (02) ◽

pp. 1950008 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

JOSEPH G. SCHIAVO ◽

ROBERT MENDELSOHN

Keyword(s):

Carbon Dioxide ◽

Natural Gas ◽

Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽

Power Plants ◽

Air Pollutant ◽

Particulate Emissions ◽

Natural Gas Prices ◽

Coal Power Plants ◽

Coal Power ◽

Gas Plants

This paper quantifies the magnitude of multiple potential causes of coal-fired power plant retirements since 1997. The paper finds that although the low natural gas prices from fracking have increased retirements, the foremost cause of retirements has been the tightening of criteria air pollutant regulations. These pollution regulations encouraged significant mitigation investments to reduce sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and small particulate emissions. But the regulations also induced higher coal plant retirement rates which then reduced carbon dioxide emissions. Even accounting for the resulting increase in emissions from new natural gas plants, the regulations eliminated over a billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions. In this example, strict mitigation to protect domestic public health has led to sizable global co-benefits.

Download Full-text

Why Colorado Should not Replace Coal Power Plants with Natural Gas

SSRN Electronic Journal ◽

10.2139/ssrn.1678267 ◽

2010 ◽

Author(s):

Frank Clemente, Ph.D

Keyword(s):

Natural Gas ◽

Power Plants ◽

Coal Power Plants ◽

Coal Power

Download Full-text

Day-Ahead Robust Economic Dispatch Considering Renewable Energy and Concentrated Solar Power Plants

Energies ◽

10.3390/en12203832 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (20) ◽

pp. 3832 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Bai ◽

Ding ◽

Wang ◽

Chen

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy ◽

Power Plants ◽

Solar Power ◽

Thermal Power ◽

Economic Dispatch ◽

Automatic Generation ◽

Test System ◽

Renewable Energy Resources ◽

Concentrated Solar Power ◽

Solar Field

A concentrated solar power (CSP) plant with energy storage systems has excellent scheduling flexibility and superiority to traditional thermal power generation systems. In this paper, the operation mechanism and operational constraints of the CSP plant are specified. Furthermore, the uncertainty of the solar energy received by the solar field is considered and a robust economic dispatch model with CSP plants and renewable energy resources is proposed, where uncertainty is adjusted by the automatic generation control (AGC) regulation in the day-ahead ancillary market, so that the system security is guaranteed under any realization of the uncertainty. Finally, the proposed robust economic dispatch has been studied on an improved IEEE 30-bus test system, and the results verify the proposed model.

Download Full-text