scholarly journals Validation of SAM Modeling of Concentrated Solar Power Plants

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1949 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Boretti ◽  
Jamal Nayfeh ◽  
Wael Al-Kouz
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
The United States ◽  
Concentrated Solar Power ◽  
Parabolic Trough

The paper proposes the validation of the latest System Advisor Model (SAM) vs. the experimental data for concentrated solar power energy facilities. Both parabolic trough, and solar tower, are considered, with and without thermal energy storage. The 250 MW parabolic trough facilities of Genesis, Mojave, and Solana, and the 110 MW solar tower facility of Crescent Dunes, all in the United States South-West, are modeled. The computed monthly average capacity factors for the average weather year are compared with the experimental data measured since the start of the operation of the facilities. While much higher sampling frequencies are needed for proper validation, as monthly averaging dramatically filters out differences between experiments and simulations, computational results are relatively close to measured values for the parabolic trough, and very far from for solar tower systems. The thermal energy storage is also introducing additional inaccuracies. It is concluded that the code needs further development, especially for the solar field and receiver of the solar tower modules, and the thermal energy storage. Validation of models and sub-models vs. high-frequency data collected on existing facilities, for both energy production, power plant parameters, and weather conditions, is a necessary step before using the code for designing novel facilities.

scholarly journals Design of a parabolic trough concentrated solar power plant in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia

2020 ◽  
Vol 160 ◽  
pp. 02005
Author(s):  
Wael Al-Kouz ◽  
Jamal Nayfeh ◽  
Alberto Boretti
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Power Plant ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Solar Power Plant ◽  
Concentrated Solar Power ◽  
Parabolic Trough

The paper discusses the design options for a concentrated solar power plant in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. The specific conditions, in terms of weather and sun irradiance, are considered, including sand and dust, humidity, temperature and proximity to the sea. Different real-world experiences are then considered, to understand the best design to adapt to the specific conditions. Concentrated solar power solar tower with thermal energy storage such as Crescent Dunes, or concentrated solar power solar tower without thermal energy storage but boost by natural gas combustion such as Ivanpah are disregarded for the higher costs, the performances well below the design, and the extra difficulties for the specific location such as temperatures, humidity and sand/dust that suggest the use of an enclosed trough. Concentrated solar power parabolic trough without thermal energy storage such as Genesis or Mojave, of drastically reduced cost and much better performances, do not provide however the added value of thermal energy storage and dispatchability that can make interesting Concentrated solar power vs. alternatives such as wind and solar photovoltaic. Thus, the concentrated solar power parabolic trough with thermal energy storage of Solana, of intermediate costs and best performances, albeit slightly lower than the design values, is selected. This design will have to be modified to enclosed trough and adopt a Seawater, Once-trough condenser. Being the development peculiar, a small scale pilot plant is suggested before a full-scale development.

scholarly journals REVIEW AND EVALUATION OF NANOFLUIDS AS PROSPECT THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE MATERIAL FOR CONCENTRATED SOLAR POWER APPLICATION

2020 ◽  
pp. 10-29
Author(s):  
C.L. Majadas ◽  
J.M. Peñaloga ◽  
R.W. Salvador
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Conductivity ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Concentrated Solar Power ◽  
Solar Power Plants ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage Systems ◽  
Concentrated Solar Power Plants

Solar energy intermittency is one of the main challenges encountered by thermal energy storage systems in concentrated solar power plants due to the low heat transfer rates during charging operations. The critical thermophysical property to be considered for combating this problem is the thermal conductivity. Thus, base fluids with dispersed nanoparticles, better known as nanofluids, have become materials with great potential since they enhance efficiency during charging intervals by increasing the charged material's thermal conductivity by up to 89 %. By gathering and analyzing results from various studies in nanofluids, it was observed that there is a considerable improvement in the thermal storage material compared with the base fluid alone. There is also an increase in the thermal conductivity as nanoparticles are added. Obtaining an increase as great as 99 % allows faster rates of heat transfer. Overall, this may significantly improve the efficiency of thermal energy storage systems in concentrated solar power plants.

Assessment of Thermal Energy Storage for Parabolic Trough Solar Power Plants

Solar Energy ◽  
2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Kearney ◽  
Henry Price
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Molten Salt ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Energy Storage ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Storage System ◽  
Parabolic Trough ◽  
Levelized Cost Of Electricity ◽  
Cost Of Electricity

Parabolic trough power plant technology is one of the most demonstrated solar power options commercially available. While trough power plants are the least expensive solar option, cost of electricity still exceeds that needed to directly compete with conventional fossil-fired large-scale central power technologies. Several evaluations have been done that identify a series of mechanisms for significant cost reduction over the next decade. One of the opportunities for improving the economics of parabolic trough plants is the development of lower cost and more efficient thermal energy storage (TES) technologies. This paper focuses on several of the TES technologies currently under development, namely: the use of an indirect molten-salt storage system, the use of molten-salt as a heat transfer fluid in the solar field and thermal energy storage system, and the development of new types of storage fluids. The assessment compares the cost and performance of these candidate thermal energy storage technologies by evaluating their impact on the levelized cost of electricity from the plant. This analysis is updated based on work conducted on these technologies during the last year.

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