Solar thermal electricity generation

This report presents the results of modeling the thermal performance and economic feasibility of large (utility scale) and small solar thermal power plants for electricity generation. A number of solar concepts for power systems applications have been investigated. Each concept has been analyzed over a range of plant power ratings from 1 MW{dollar}sb{lcub}rm e{rcub}{dollar} to 300 MW{dollar}sb{lcub}rm e{rcub}{dollar} and over a range of capacity factors from a no-storage case (capacity factor of about 0.25 to 0.30) up to intermediate load capacity factors in the range of 0.45 to 0.60.; The solar plant's economic viability is investigated by examining the effect of various parameters on the plant costs (both Capital and O & M) and the Levelized Energy Costs (LEC).; The cost components are reported in six categories: collectors, energy transport, energy storage, energy conversion, balance of plant, and indirect/contingency costs. Concentrator and receiver costs are included in the collector category. Thermal and electric energy transport costs are included in the energy transport category. Costs for the thermal or electric storage are included in the energy storage category; energy conversion costs are included in the energy conversion category. The balance of plant cost category comprises the structures, land, service facilities, power conditioning, instrumentation and controls, and spare part costs. The indirect/contingency category consists of the indirect construction and the contingency costs.; The concepts included in the study are: (1) Molten Salt Cavity Central Receiver with Salt Storage (PFCR/R-C-Salt). (2) Molten Salt External Central Receiver with Salt Storage (PFCR/R-E-Salt). (3) Sodium External Central Receiver with Sodium Storage (PFCR/R-E-Na). (4) Sodium External Central Receiver with Salt Storage (PFCR/R-E-Na/Salt). (5) Water/Steam External Central Receiver with Oil/Rock Storage (PFCR/R-E-W/S). (6) Parabolic Dish with Stirling Engine Conversion and Lead Acid Battery Storage (PFDR/S-LAB). (7) Parabolic Dish with Stirling Engine Conversion and Redox Advanced Battery Storage (PFDR/S-RAB). (8) Parabolic Trough with Oil/Rock Storage (LFDR/R-HT-45).; Key annual efficiency and economic results of the study are highlighted in the following table for plant sizes and capacity factor that resulted in the lowest LEC over the analysis range.