Performance Analysis and Optimization of Central Receiver Solar Thermal Power Plants for Utility Scale Power Generation

Abstract

The paper puts forth the design, performance analysis, and optimization of a 100 MWe central receiver solar thermal power plant with thermal energy storage capability, which can be utilized effectively to meet the renewable energy targets of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). In this paper, three representative sites in KSA are selected for analysis as these sites experience an annual average direct normal irradiance (DNI) of more than 5.5 kWh/m 2 /day. The optimization approach presented in this work aims to arrive at the best possible design parameters that suit a particular location in accordance with its DNI profile. From the analysis, an annual energy of 559.61 GWh can be generated in Yanbu with eight hours of thermal energy storage, 18.19% plant efficiency, and a capacity factor of 61.1%. The central receiver plant in Abha would be able to offer an annual energy of 536.31 GWh with the highest plant efficiency of 18.97% and a capacity factor of 60.7%. The performance of the proposed design in the two locations of Yanbu and Abha fares better when compared to the operational plant data of central receiver plant in Crescent Dunes. Based on the findings, the proposed 100 MWe central receiver Solar thermal power plants can be effectively implemented in KSA to meet the energy demands of the region.Sustainability 2020, 12, 127 2 of 16 production. According to the Vision 2030 plan, KSA has announced plans to generate 9.5 GW of electricity from renewable sources by 2030, and the government aims to invest more than 109 billion USD in the solar energy sector. In continuance with the Vision 2030 plan, and to meet the energy challenges of tomorrow, King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (K.A.CARE) has set its target to install 54 GW of power from RE sources by 2032. Interestingly, the major share (25 GW) of this target is expected to come from concentrated solar power (CSP), and the rest, 16 GW, from photovoltaic (PV) systems that directly convert solar energy to electrical energy. Presently, the total installed solar energy capacity of Saudi Arabia is only 139 MW, of which 89 MW is generated from PV technology and 50 MW from CSP systems [2]. The research work will support the policy makers in identifying the potential sites across the Kingdom for the installation of central receiver (also called solar tower or power tower) plants, which is a type of CSP plant wherein an array of dual-axis tracking reflectors (heliostats) concentrates sunlight on a tower-mounted receiver that contains heat transfer fluid (HTF). The HTF can be heated to 500-1000 • C, which can be then used as a heat source for power generation. Stand-alone renewable energy plants have challenges to deliver stable power to the grid. These plants require backup support in terms of electrical or thermal energy storage to supply firm power. The electrical storage requires large capital outlay and maintenance. Although the capital cost for PV systems is lower than that of CSP systems, the former accounts for a higher cost of power generation when t...

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Field and Central Receiver Design Methodology based on Multi-Parameter Optimization by the Design of Experiments (DOE) Technique

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