scholarly journals Thermodynamic Performance and Water Consumption of Hybrid Cooling System Configurations for Concentrated Solar Power Plants

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 4739
Author(s):  
Faisal Asfand ◽  
Patricia Palenzuela ◽  
Lidia Roca ◽  
Adèle Caron ◽  
Charles-André Lemarié ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Water Consumption ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Cooling System ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Concentrated Solar Power ◽  
Hybrid Cooling ◽  
Dry Cooling ◽  
Parallel Series

The use of wet cooling in Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants tends to be an unfavourable option in regions where water is scarce due to the high water requirements of the method. Dry-cooling systems allow a water consumption reduction of up to 80% but at the expense of lower electricity production. A hybrid cooling system (the combination of dry and wet cooling) offers the advantages of each process in terms of lower water consumption and higher electricity production. A model of a CSP plant which integrates a hybrid cooling system has been implemented in Thermoflex software. The water consumption and the net power generation have been evaluated for different configurations of the hybrid cooling system: series, parallel, series-parallel and parallel-series. It was found that the most favourable configuration in terms of water saving was series-parallel, in which a water reduction of up to 50% is possible compared to the only-wet cooling option, whereas an increase of 2.5% in the power generation is possible compared to the only-dry cooling option. The parallel configuration was the best in terms of power generation with an increase of 3.2% when compared with the only-dry cooling option, and a reduction of 30% water consumption compared to the only-wet cooling option.

scholarly journals Studying the Reduction of Water Use in Integrated Solar Combined-Cycle Plants

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 2085 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fontina Petrakopoulou ◽  
Marina Olmeda-Delgado
Keyword(s):  
Water Consumption ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Cooling System ◽  
Combined Cycle ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Cooling Systems ◽  
Cooling Fluid ◽  
Hybrid Cooling ◽  
Dry Cooling

With vast amounts of water consumed for electricity generation and water scarcity predicted to rise in the near future, the necessity to evaluate water consumption in power plants arises. Cooling systems are the main source of water consumption in thermoelectric power plants, since water is a cooling fluid with relatively low cost and high efficiency. This study evaluates the performance of two types of power plants: a natural gas combined-cycle and an integrated solar combined-cycle. Special focus is made on the cooling system used in the plants and its characteristics, such as water consumption, related costs, and fuel requirements. Wet, dry, and hybrid cooling systems are studied for each of the power plants. While water is used as the cooling fluid to condense the steam in wet cooling, dry cooling uses air circulated by a fan. Hybrid cooling presents an alternative that combines both methods. We find that hybrid cooling has the highest investment costs as it bears the sum of the costs of both wet and dry cooling systems. However, this system produces considerable fuel savings when compared to dry cooling, and a 50% reduction in water consumption when compared to wet cooling. As expected, the wet cooling system has the highest exergetic efficiency, of 1 and 5 percentage points above that of dry cooling in the conventional combined-cycle and integrated solar combined-cycle, respectively, thus representing the lowest investment cost and highest water consumption among the three alternatives. Hybrid and dry cooling systems may be considered viable alternatives under increasing water costs, requiring better enforcement of the measures for sustainable water consumption in the energy sector.

Comparison of direct and indirect natural draft dry cooling tower cooling of the sCO2 Brayton cycle for concentrated solar power plants

2018 ◽  
Vol 130 ◽  
pp. 1070-1080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam Duniam ◽  
Ingo Jahn ◽  
Kamel Hooman ◽  
Yuanshen Lu ◽  
Ananthanarayanan Veeraragavan
Keyword(s):  
Power Plants ◽  
Cooling Tower ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Brayton Cycle ◽  
Concentrated Solar Power ◽  
Natural Draft ◽  
Solar Power Plants ◽  
Concentrated Solar Power Plants ◽  
Dry Cooling Tower ◽  
Dry Cooling

Economic Design of Hybrid Wet-Dry Cooling Systems

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. W. Card
Keyword(s):  
Power Plants ◽  
Cooling System ◽  
Combined Cycle ◽  
Weather Data ◽  
Net Generation ◽  
Steam Turbines ◽  
Cooling Systems ◽  
Hybrid Cooling ◽  
Seasonal Basis ◽  
Dry Cooling

A hybrid wet-dry cooling system can be designed for a large combined-cycle power plant. A well-designed hybrid cooling system will provide reasonable net generation year-round, while using substantially less water than a conventional wet cooling tower. The optimum design for the hybrid system depends upon climate at the site, the price of power, and the price of water. These factors vary on a seasonal basis. Two hypothetical power plants are modeled, using state-of-the-art steam turbines and hybrid cooling systems. The plants are designed for water-constrained sites incorporating typical weather data, power prices, and water prices. The principles for economic designs of hybrid cooling systems are demonstrated.

scholarly journals From Firm Solar Power Forecasts to Firm Solar Power Generation: An Effective Path to Ultra-High Renewable Penetration - A New York Case Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Perez ◽  
Marc Perez ◽  
Sergey Kivalov ◽  
James Schlemmer ◽  
John Dise ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
New York ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Prediction Errors ◽  
Firm Power ◽  
Solar Penetration

We introduce firm solar forecasts as a strategy to operate optimally overbuilt solar power plants in conjunction with optimally sized storage systems so as to make up for any power prediction errors, hence entirely remove load balancing uncertainty emanating from grid-connected solar fleets. A central part of this strategy is plant overbuilding that we term implicit storage. We show that strategy, while economically justifiable on its own account, is an effective entry step to least-cost ultra-high solar penetration where firm power generation will be a prerequisite. We demonstrate that in absence of an implicit storage strategy, ultra-high solar penetration would be vastly more expensive. Using the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) as a case study, we determine current and future cost of firm forecasts for a comprehensive set of scenarios in each ISO electrical region, comparing centralized vs. decentralized production and assessing load flexibility’s impact. We simulate the growth of the strategy from firm forecast to firm power generation. We conclude that ultra-high solar penetration enabled by the present strategy, whereby solar would firmly supply the entire NYISO load, could be achieved locally at electricity production costs comparable to current NYISO wholesale market prices.

scholarly journals Economic Analysis of a Zero-Water Solar Power Plant for Energy Security

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (20) ◽  
pp. 9639
Author(s):  
Eduardo de la Rocha Camba ◽  
Fontina Petrakopoulou
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Energy Security ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Cooling System ◽  
Solar Power Plant ◽  
Levelized Cost Of Electricity ◽  
Cooling Systems ◽  
Dry Cooling

Water dependency of power plants undermines energy security by making power generation susceptible to water scarcity. This study evaluates the economic performance of a novel dry-cooling system for a water-independent solar power plant. The proposed cooling system is based on the concept of earth–air heat exchangers, approaching zero environmental impact. The viability of the proposed design is discussed based on both costs and benefits, and it is compared to both conventional dry- and wet-cooling systems. The installation costs of the plant are found to be EUR 13,728/kW, resulting in the substantial levelized cost of electricity of EUR 505.97/MWh. The net present value of the studied design assuming a water-cost saving of EUR 1/m3 is found to be MEUR –139.59. Significantly higher water prices in the future might eventually make the proposed system economically attractive when compared to water-cooling systems. However, the new system would require drastic modifications to become more attractive when compared to existing dry-cooling systems. Specific possibilities to improve it for zero-water use in thermoelectric power plants are further discussed.

scholarly journals From Firm Solar Power Forecasts to Firm Solar Power Generation an Effective Path to Ultra-High Renewable Penetration a New York Case Study

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 4489
Author(s):  
Richard Perez ◽  
Marc Perez ◽  
James Schlemmer ◽  
John Dise ◽  
Thomas E. Hoff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
New York ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Prediction Errors ◽  
Firm Power ◽  
Solar Penetration

We introduce firm solar forecasts as a strategy to operate optimally overbuilt solar power plants in conjunction with optimally sized storage systems so as to make up for any power prediction errors, and hence entirely remove load balancing uncertainty emanating from grid-connected solar fleets. A central part of this strategy is the plant overbuilding that we term implicit storage. We show that strategy, while economically justifiable on its own account, is an effective entry step to achieving least-cost ultra-high solar penetration where firm power generation will be a prerequisite. We demonstrate that in the absence of an implicit storage strategy, ultra-high solar penetration would be vastly more expensive. Using the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) as a case study, we determine current and future costs of firm forecasts for a comprehensive set of scenarios in each ISO electrical region, comparing centralized vs. decentralized production and assessing load flexibility’s impact. We simulate the growth of the strategy from firm forecast to firm power generation. We conclude that ultra-high solar penetration enabled by the present strategy, whereby solar would firmly supply the entire NYISO load, could be achieved locally at electricity production costs comparable to current NYISO wholesale market prices.

Wet or Dry Cooling?

Solar Energy ◽  
2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Khalil ◽  
Aaron Sahm ◽  
Robert Boehm
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Operating Costs ◽  
Water Requirements ◽  
Solar Systems ◽  
Solar Power Plants ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Dry Cooling

Two major aspects related to water use in solar power plants are examined. First we compare the water used in various approaches to power generation. These include water requirements for cooling (where applicable) and other needs within the plant. Included is attention to water requirements for makeup in Rankine cycles, as well as for cleaning of concentrating solar systems. In the second thrust, we examine the impacts of using dry cooling for Rankine cycles. It is generally established that this approach requires premiums in both capital and operating costs (the latter is dependent upon the cost of water), as well as a penalty in performance when compared to wet systems. We examine the trends associated with this technology and outline some for the current performance issues with various cooling approaches.

scholarly journals Potential of Renewable Energy Resources with an Emphasis on Solar Power in Iraq: An Outlook

Resources ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hussain Al-Kayiem ◽  
Sanan Mohammad
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Energy Resources ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources ◽  
Concentrated Solar Power ◽  
The Cost

This study presents an outlook on the renewable energies in Iraq, and the potential for deploying concentrated solar power technologies to support power generation in Iraq. Solar energy has not been sufficiently utilized at present in Iraq. However, this energy source can play an important role in energy production in Iraq, as the global solar radiation ranging from 2000 kWh/m2 to a 2500 kWh/m2 annual daily average. In addition, the study presents the limited current solar energy activities in Iraq. The attempts of the Iraqi government to utilize solar energy are also presented. Two approaches for utilizing concentrated solar power have been proposed, to support existing thermal power generation, with the possibility of being implemented as standalone plants or being integrated with thermal power plants. However, the cost analysis has shown that for 50 kW concentrated solar power in Iraq, the cost is around 0.23 US cent/kWh without integration with energy storage. Additionally, notable obstacles and barriers bounding the utilization of solar energy are also discussed. Finally, this study proposes initiatives that can be adopted by the Iraqi government to support the use of renewable energy resources in general, and solar energy in particular.

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