Technical-Economic Analysis of an Innovative Small Scale Solar Thermal - ORC Cogenerative System

Abstract

The generation of electricity from solar thermal source has continued to garner more attention due to the very attractive environmental performance, the applicability to small distributed users and as alternative to the fossil fuels power generation. Indeed, solar thermal energy, through the coupling with ORC systems, becomes fit for electric power generation as well and, with a proper thermal storage, can deliver more equivalent hours than other residential systems. The paper analyses, by means of system modelling simulation, a small solar power plant composed by a CPC heat pipe solar collector device feeding a thermal storage, an ORC and an absorber unit. Beside the analysis of configuration and design, this paper proposes an economic analysis taking into consideration the applicable incentive. The evaluation highlights the economic viability of the proposed system and tries to define a roadmap to optimize results consisting in acceptable PBT and positive NPV.

Techno-economic evaluation of a solar assisted combined heat pump – Organic Rankine Cycle system

“…Villarini et al [4] simulated a system comprising 50 m 2 of CPC collectors, an ORC with a nominal electric power of 3 kW and an absorption chiller with a nominal cooling power of 10 kW. The cost of the implementation is estimated to be 55,200 €, of which 10,000 € can be allocated to the ORC; a payback period of thirteen years has been determined under Italian conditions.…”

Thermodynamic Analysis and Systematic Comparison of Solar-Heated Trigeneration Systems Based on ORC and Absorption Heat Pump

“…Likewise, for CCHP systems based on ORC power cycle, several studies were done in recent years to determine the thermal and economic performance for different system configurations [10][11][12][13][14][15]. Al-Sulaiman et al [16] analysed and compared three CCHP systems with different prime mover approaches: a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), a biomass boiler and SPTCs.…”

ZERO network-impact buildings and smart storage systems in micro-grids

“…Many modifications are occurring to progress the energy efficiency and environmental sustainability of the generation, transport and final use sectors, involving the need to modernize the electric grids [1][2][3][4]. The first revolution deals with the deregulation of the electricity trade, with the introduction of markets: the service has been opened to the generation plants owners and also to the final users; this has influenced operational functions originally demanded to Transmission and Distribution System Operators (TSO, DSO) [5][6][7].…”