Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) and its prospect in Bangladesh

Abstract

Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) is a promising technology for power generation in which the solar radiation is concentrated to generate high temperature for producing steam in a solar thermal power plant. No fossil fuel is used in this technology; therefore no greenhouse gases are emitted. With an average annual Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) of 2,000kWh/m 2 the area required to generate 100MWe of electricity is about 2km 2 . Bangladesh receives an average annual DNI of nearly 1,900kWh/m 2 which is sufficient to operate a CSP plant. By the year 2015 the capital cost of CSP plant will become $3,800/kWe. As there is no fuel cost in CSP, this can be an attractive choice to mitigate the power crisis of Bangladesh. In this paper the prospect of utilizing CSP in Bangladesh has been focused.

Energy scarcity and potential of renewable energy in Bangladesh

“…The annual average direct normal insolation in the country could be able to produce about 100 MW of electricity through this technology [52]. Grid-connected solar PV or mini-grid concept would bring a new dimension in the sector of solar energy utilization.…”

Current energy scenario and future prospect of renewable energy in Bangladesh

“…Annual solar radiation available is over 1900 kWh/m 2 [72]. Average solar irradiations varies from 4 to 6.5 kWh/m 2 [11].…”

“…Even though, if such technology might have lagged to generate expected outcome, CSP-battery hybrid system can be introduced to meet such short deficit. Among the major CSP technologies developed such as, parabolic trough, parabolic dish, solar tower and Linear Fresnel Reflector (LFR); parabolic trough and parabolic dish are found theoretically suitable for Bangladesh environment [72], however substantial investment from GOB and other developing partners are required to harness full potential of such solar energy technology in Bangladesh. Besides this high capital intensive technology which is relatively at research and development stage, some of the technologies found vividly successful in Bangladesh, such as SHS, solar PV, and solar cooker.…”

“…Solar energy harnessing technology, for instance, concentrating solar power (CSP) could generate estimated 100 MW of electricity when annual average direct normal insolation (DNI) is about 2000 kWh/m 2 for an given area of 2 km 2 [72]. The average annual DNI that Bangladesh receives is about 1900 kWh/m 2 which is found sufficient in Rajshahi district to utilize such technology [76].…”

A Review of Parabolic Dish-Stirling Engine System Based on Concentrating Solar Power

“…Parabolic dish-stirling system is the one of the CSP technology that have been studied and developed for terrestrial applications that allows to reach high temperatures concentrating the radiation in a focus [2]. Parabolic dish-stirling system tracks the sun and focus solar energy into cavity receiver, then the receiver absorbs the energy and transfers it to a heat engine/generator that generates electrical power.…”