Based on the examination of the efficiency of solar plants, this study focuses on three main plants: a photovoltaic (PV) plant, a concentrated solar power (CSP) plant, and a hybrid PV/CSP plant. The modelling of the three plants has been implemented to evaluate the influence of design parameters (orientation angles, solar multiple (SM), thermal energy storage capacity (TES), and fraction of hybridization) on them. Several simulations have been recreated and discussed in details to study the optimal configuration of the two first plants and the profitability of the PV/CSP plants for Ouarzazate (Morocco) location. The findings demonstrate that the optimal orientation angles and TES/SM, respectively, affect the performances of PV and CSP plants, and they also reveal that PV/CSP systems have the benefits to increase the annual energy produced, reduce the cost, and offer a high dispatchability to supply a baseload. The implementing of optimal PV/CSP plant has a great economic impact on Ouarzazate city.

/pdf/modelling-and-assessing-the-performance-of-hybrid-pv-csp-vd9sbse5s9.pdf

Modelling and Assessing the Performance of Hybrid PV-CSP Plants in Morocco: A Parametric Study

In solar thermal power plants concentrating collectors are used to provide the high-temperature heat for the power plant. There are a number of different concepts available in which the heat transfer fluid is either directly used in the power plant cycle (e.g. water vapor), or alternatively a secondary cycle with a different fluid (e.g. thermal oil) is used to collect the solar energy. To date, especially parabolic trough systems that use synthetic thermal oil as heat transfer medium are the dominant technology in the market. However alternative approaches that use other concentrator geometries (like central receiver tower power plants) and /or alternative heat transfer fluids are increasingly showing up. The lecture introduces two different concepts that use molten salt as heat transfer as well as storage medium. Technological strengths and weaknesses as well as expectations with respect to efficiency and cost are discussed.

Concepts for Cost Reduction in CSP Power Plants

In this master thesis a hybrid photovoltaic / solar thermal power plant was modeled for a high irradiance location. The selected location was Chile’s northern region. For the evaluation the software greenius was used, a program being continuously developed at DLR since 1999. This program did not possess a storage function for PV simulations. Therefore one of the aims of this thesis was firstly to analyze the accuracy of the PV model and subsequently develop and implement a battery model to evaluate the financial viability of standalone PV systems. For this reason the greenius model was compared with PVWatts and PVSyst photovoltaic models. Additionally, an electric storage element based on a charge balance model was implemented in the system. This model proved to accurately depict the performance of batteries without the need for many parameters. The second aim of this thesis was to optimize and evaluate the financial feasibility of hybrid power plants with a high capacity factor (> 90%). The designed plants were based on the published specifications of Cerro Dominador, Chile for two main reasons. On one hand, this is going to be the first hybrid PV/CSP plant to be commissioned in South America (2019). Therefore it is going to be the benchmark for hybrid solar power plants in the future. On the other hand, Chile’s climate is perfect for solar projects. Thus it was important to assess the profitability of a sample plant in this region for future projects to be developed. The calculations were performed with the latest PV benchmark costs of 2017, which have decreased by 21% compared to 2016. The results showed that hybrid solar plants are more cost-efficient for base-load electricity supply than standalone CSP plants in high-irradiance regions. Photovoltaic power plants with battery storage can be competitive starting 2032.

Chico Caminos

Papers

Techno-economic Assessment of Hybrid Photovoltaic/Solar Thermal Power Plants: Modeling and Potential for Synergies