Comparison of Different Technologies for Integrated Solar Combined Cycles: Analysis of Concentrating Technology and Solar Integration

Abstract

This paper compares the annual performance of Integrated Solar Combined Cycles (ISCCs) using different solar concentration technologies: parabolic trough collectors (PTC), linear Fresnel reflectors (LFR) and central tower receiver (CT). Each solar technology (i.e. PTC, LFR and CT) is proposed to integrate solar energy into the combined cycle in two different ways. The first one is based on the use of solar energy to evaporate water of the steam cycle by means of direct steam generation (DSG), increasing the steam production of the high pressure level of the steam generator. The other one is based on the use of solar energy to preheat the pressurized air at the exit of the gas turbine compressor before it is introduced in the combustion chamber, reducing the fuel consumption. Results show that ISCC with DSG increases the yearly production while solar air heating reduces it due to the incremental pressure drop. However, air heating allows significantly higher solar-to-electricity efficiencies and lower heat rates. Regarding the solar technologies, PTC provides the best thermal results.

Analysis of an Integrated Solar Combined Cycle with Recuperative Gas Turbine and Double Recuperative and Double Expansion Propane Cycle

“…Almeria and Las Vegas were the sites selected for the analyses of the proposed configurations [ 7 ]. A typical meteorological year (TMY) was used for both sites.…”

“…The analysis led to 538 operating conditions in Almeria and 909 in Las Vegas. An example of these matrices is found in [ 7 ].…”

“…Most of the currently installed ISCC power plants follow the layout described above [ 2 ]. In the last decade, interest in ISCC has increased, and several aspects have been studied such as how to integrate the solar contribution into the combined cycle [ 3 , 4 , 5 ] or which technology is the best for collecting solar energy [ 6 , 7 ]. In most of these cases, the conceptual layout of the ISCC is preserved.…”

The Comparison of Solar Energy Gaining Effectiveness between Flat Plate Collectors and Evacuated Tube Collectors with Heat Pipe: Case Study

“…In the literature, there were several simulation studies concerning solar energy [40,41] and collectors [42], as well as research evaluations [43]; however, there is a lack of examples of long-term operation in real and non-experimental conditions. The novelty of this paper is in its evaluation of two existing installations.…”

Solar power technology for electricity generation: A critical review

“…Islam et al analyzed solar thermal technologies current status and research trends and concluded that direct steam generation by employing solar energy in solar concentrated schemes is the most promising approach. Rovira et al compared different technologies for integration is solar combined cycles. Hansen and Van Mathiesen presented a novel approach to evaluate the potential of utilizing solar thermal technologies in the Europe and assessed four countries (Germany, Austria, Italy, and Denmark) statuses of employing renewable energies, specifically solar thermal energy, to achieve European defined targets.…”