Optimization of Thermal Energy Storage Integration Strategies for Peak Power Production by Concentrating Solar Power Plants

• The integration of thermal energy storage systems in concentrating solar thermal power plants allows power production to be shifted from times where there is low demand to periods where electricity prices are higher. Although increasing the total investment, thermal energy storage can therefore enhance profitability of the solar power plant. The present study presents optimum power plant configurations for a given location considering different price-based grid integration strategies. Such optimum plant configurations were determined using a thermo-economic optimization approach where the operating strategy was set such that electricity was generated once the market price exceeds a given price level, defined as the minimum price selling indicator. Plants were optimized for different indicator values to cover designs from base load and peak power production. For each of these price-operating strategies, optimum plant configurations were found by varying two solar-related design parameters, namely the solar multiple and the storage size, whilst simultaneously evaluating the economic performance of each design. Finally, an economic analysis was performed for each of the optimum power plants, assuming financial conditions throughout the lifetime of the power plant. Results show that the optimum plant configurations vary with respect to the chosen operating strategy. Optimum configurations for peak power production yielded relatively smaller storage units than that of the optimum baseload plants. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that under current cost estimations, and for the specified location, concentrating solar thermal power is not an attractive option for utility-grid investors. However, it is shown that when considering a reduction in investment costs or the possibility of having renewable electricity incentives such as the investment tax credit treasury cash grant, concentrating solar thermal power plants can become an economically viable technology.

Ämnesord

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Energiteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Energy Engineering (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Concentrating Solar Power

CSP

Thermal Energy Storage

TES

peak power production

operating strategy

Energy Technology

Energiteknik

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