Comparative Analysis and Design of a Solar-Based Parabolic Trough–ORC Cogeneration Plant for a Commercial Center

Abstract

This paper performs technical, economic and environmental feasibility analyses of two different solar cogeneration plants, consisting of a solar system (a parabolic trough collector field coupled with thermal energy storage), an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC), and mechanical chillers, that should cover the electrical and cooling demands of a commercial center located in Zaragoza (Spain). System A is hybridized with an auxiliary biomass boiler that complements the solar system’s thermal production, providing a constant heat supply to the ORC, which operates at full load during the operating hours of the solar system. In contrast, system B is not hybridized with biomass, so the ORC is fully driven by the solar system, operating at partial load according to the solar resource availability. Both systems are connected to the electrical grid, allowing electricity purchases and sales when needed. The design procedure involves the sizing of the equipment as well as the modelling of the hourly behavior of each system throughout the year. The physical analysis is complemented by an economic assessment, which considers investment and variable costs, as well as an estimate of the significant environmental benefits of the proposed plants. The solar plants are compared to a conventional system in which all the electrical consumption is covered with electricity purchased from the grid. The costs of the electricity produced by systems A and B are estimated at 0.2030 EUR/kWh and 0.1458 EUR/kWh, which are about 49% and 7% higher than the electricity purchase price in Spain (0.1363 EUR/kWh). These results indicate that while none of the solar plants are presently competitive with the conventional system, system B (without biomass hybridization) is actually closer to economic feasibility in the short and medium term than system A (with biomass hybridization).

Exergoeconomic Assessment of a Compact Electricity-Cooling Cogeneration Unit

“…The energy sector has been affected, which could potentially be averted by implementing stimulus plans to boost clean energy technologies [103] and energy efficiency schemes [104]. Pina et al [105] mention that in the wake of the pandemic, countries must kickstart their economies while consolidating climate change commitments, and energy efficiency is a crucial pillar of the energy transition (along with renewable energy and energy storage). Due to the deceleration of most energy transition programs and considering the scarcity of studies on the impacts of COVID-19 on the electric sector, cogeneration systems can and must be part of energy efficiency solutions to enhance economic competitiveness, providing more affordable energy services, and reducing environmental impacts.…”

Efficiency of Semi-Automatic Control Ethanol Distillation Using a Vacuum-Tube Parabolic Solar Collector

“…It was found that the distillation process using the flat plate solar collector can increase the substrate concentration from 10% to 40-50% in a single stage and up to 90% with multi-stage distillation [18,19]. Previous research has also explored the potential of utilizing thermal energy from solar radiation in ethanol distillation with solar collectors [20,21]. However, the previously developed experiment set was heavy, making it difficult to adjust the angle and move the machine.…”

Jeotermal ve güneş destekli güç üretimi ve ısıtma sisteminin termodinamik analizi

“…Ancak güneşin olmadığı günlerde ısı enerjisi elde edilemeyeceğinden dolayı sistem durma noktasına gelecektir. Bundan dolayı bu tip enerji sistemleri tam zamanlı olarak çalışmamaktadır [6][7][8][9].…”