Combination of PV and central receiver CSP plants for base load power generation in South Africa. (April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pan, Christoph Adrian; Dinter, Frank
• Is Part Of: Solar energy. Volume 146(2017)
• Page Start: 379
• Page End: 388
• Publication Date: 2017-04
• Subjects: PV enhanced CSP -- Central receiver -- Solar base load capacity -- Thermal energy storage; Solar energy -- Periodicals; Solar engines -- Periodicals; 621.47
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2017.02.052
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0038-092X

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: PV enhanced CSP plants are able to provide solar base load capacity by TES dispatch. CSP/PV power plant increases the annual energy yield and capacity factor. System sizes in terms of heliostat field and TES can be reduced. The LCOE of base load-capable configurations varies between 0.133–0.157 $/kW h. The proposed concept can replace old coal-fired power plants in South Africa. Abstract: This paper introduces a novel concept of a PV enhanced central receiver concentrating solar power (CSP) plant for South Africa that can dispatch solar energy from daytime to the night in order to provide solar base load capacity to the grid. Various simulations of standalone PV and CSP plants were carried out and compared to simulation results of the new CSP/PV hybrid concept. A higher annual energy yield and capacity factors of up to 90% can be expected while, at the same time, system size, thus, costs can be reduced. The levelised costs of electricity (LCOE) vary in the range of 0.133–0.157 $/kW h for base load-capable configurations which can substitute generation capacity from old coal-fired power plants. This replacement approach is backed by the high solar irradiation levels found in South Africa, making CSP/PV power plants a sustainable solution to reduce emissions and increase the share of renewables in South Africa.