On the performance of CSP oil-cooled plants, with and without heat storage in tanks of molten salts. (1st April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: De Luca, Fabrizio; Ferraro, Vittorio; Marinelli, Valerio
• Is Part Of: Energy. Volume 83(2015)
• Page Start: 230
• Page End: 239
• Publication Date: 2015-04-01
• Subjects: Parabolic collector plants -- Molten salts storage; Power resources -- Periodicals; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy consumption -- Periodicals; 333.7905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2015.02.017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-5442

Abstract

Abstract: The most-used thermodynamic CSP (concentrating solar plants) in the world, provided with linear parabolic collectors cooled by oil, have been analyzed in the two configurations employed: with heat storage in two tanks filled with molten salts and without heat storage. The performances and the costs of the plants have been analyzed in the paper according to solar multiple (ranging between 1 and 3) and to storage capacity (ranging between 0 and 24 h), in terms of annual electrical energy, average annual plant efficiency, charge factor, capital cost and levelized cost of energy (LCOE). Also a method of economic optimization, based on the evaluation of the minimum value of the levelized cost of energy is presented. The minimum LCOE value, in the case of heat storage, is obtained for a solar multiple of 2.2 and a storage capacity of 16 h. In the plants without storage, minimum LCOE is achieved for SM (solar multiple) equal to 1.2. Graphical abstract: Highlights: A model to analyze the performance of oil thermodynamic solar plant is presented. Plants without heat storage and with storage in molten salts are considered. Annual electricity production, efficiency, capital cost, CF and LCOE are estimated. Storage capacity and solar multiple values which minimize LCOE have been found.