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Title: Assessment of generic solar thermal systems for large power applications: analysis of electric power generating costs for systems larger than 10 MWe

Abstract

Seven generic types of collectors, together with associated subsystems for electric power generation, were considered. The collectors can be classified into three categories: (1) two-axis tracking (with compound-curvature reflecting surfaces); (2) one-axis tracking (with single-curvature reflecting surfaces); and (3) nontracking (with low-concentration reflecting surfaces). All seven collectors were analyzed in conceptual system configurations with Rankine-cycle engines. In addition, two of the collectors were analyzed with Brayton-cycle engines, and one was analyzed with a Stirling-cycle engine. With these engine options, and the consideration of both thermal and electrical storage for the Brayton-cycle central receiver, 11 systems were formulated for analysis. Conceptual designs developed for the 11 systems were based on common assumptions of available technology in the 1990 to 2000 time frame. No attempt was made to perform a detailed optimization of each conceptual design. Rather, designs best suited for a comparative evaluation of the concepts were formulated. Costs were estimated on the basis of identical assumptions, ground rules, methodologies, and unit costs of materials and labor applied uniformly to all of the concepts. The computer code SOLSTEP was used to analyze the thermodynamic performance characteristics and energy costs of the 11 concepts. Year-long simulations were performed using meteorological and insolationmore » data for Barstow, California. Results for each concept include levelized energy costs and capacity factors for various combinations of storage capacity and collector field size.« less

Authors:
; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, WA (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
6944857
Report Number(s):
PNL-3533(Vol.1)
DOE Contract Number:  
AC06-76RL01830
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
14 SOLAR ENERGY; 20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS; 29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY AND ECONOMY; SOLAR THERMAL POWER PLANTS; COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS; COST; SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS; BRAYTON CYCLE; COMPOUND PARABOLIC CONCENTRATORS; COMPUTER CALCULATIONS; COOLING TOWERS; DATA; DISTRIBUTED COLLECTOR POWER PLANTS; ECONOMICS; ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS; FIXED MIRROR COLLECTORS; MAINTENANCE; OPERATION; PARABOLIC DISH COLLECTORS; PARABOLIC TROUGH COLLECTORS; PERFORMANCE; POWER RANGE 10-100 MW; POWER RANGE 100-1000 MW; RANKINE CYCLE; STIRLING CYCLE; THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE EQUIPMENT; TOWER FOCUS POWER PLANTS; WORKING FLUIDS; CONCENTRATING COLLECTORS; ENERGY SYSTEMS; EQUIPMENT; FLUIDS; INFORMATION; PARABOLIC COLLECTORS; POWER PLANTS; SOLAR COLLECTORS; SOLAR CONCENTRATORS; SOLAR EQUIPMENT; SOLAR POWER PLANTS; THERMAL POWER PLANTS; THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES; 140700* - Solar Thermal Power Systems; 140300 - Solar Energy- Economic, Industrial, & Business Aspects; 200106 - Fossil-Fueled Power Plants- Economics; 299001 - Energy Planning & Policy- Solar- (1989-)

Citation Formats

Apley, W J, Bird, S P, Brown, D R, Drost, M K, Fort, J A, Garrett-Price, B A, Patton, W P, and Williams, T A. Assessment of generic solar thermal systems for large power applications: analysis of electric power generating costs for systems larger than 10 MWe. United States: N. p., 1980. Web. doi:10.2172/6944857.
Apley, W J, Bird, S P, Brown, D R, Drost, M K, Fort, J A, Garrett-Price, B A, Patton, W P, & Williams, T A. Assessment of generic solar thermal systems for large power applications: analysis of electric power generating costs for systems larger than 10 MWe. United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/6944857
Apley, W J, Bird, S P, Brown, D R, Drost, M K, Fort, J A, Garrett-Price, B A, Patton, W P, and Williams, T A. 1980. "Assessment of generic solar thermal systems for large power applications: analysis of electric power generating costs for systems larger than 10 MWe". United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/6944857. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/6944857.
@article{osti_6944857,
title = {Assessment of generic solar thermal systems for large power applications: analysis of electric power generating costs for systems larger than 10 MWe},
author = {Apley, W J and Bird, S P and Brown, D R and Drost, M K and Fort, J A and Garrett-Price, B A and Patton, W P and Williams, T A},
abstractNote = {Seven generic types of collectors, together with associated subsystems for electric power generation, were considered. The collectors can be classified into three categories: (1) two-axis tracking (with compound-curvature reflecting surfaces); (2) one-axis tracking (with single-curvature reflecting surfaces); and (3) nontracking (with low-concentration reflecting surfaces). All seven collectors were analyzed in conceptual system configurations with Rankine-cycle engines. In addition, two of the collectors were analyzed with Brayton-cycle engines, and one was analyzed with a Stirling-cycle engine. With these engine options, and the consideration of both thermal and electrical storage for the Brayton-cycle central receiver, 11 systems were formulated for analysis. Conceptual designs developed for the 11 systems were based on common assumptions of available technology in the 1990 to 2000 time frame. No attempt was made to perform a detailed optimization of each conceptual design. Rather, designs best suited for a comparative evaluation of the concepts were formulated. Costs were estimated on the basis of identical assumptions, ground rules, methodologies, and unit costs of materials and labor applied uniformly to all of the concepts. The computer code SOLSTEP was used to analyze the thermodynamic performance characteristics and energy costs of the 11 concepts. Year-long simulations were performed using meteorological and insolation data for Barstow, California. Results for each concept include levelized energy costs and capacity factors for various combinations of storage capacity and collector field size.},
doi = {10.2172/6944857},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6944857}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1980},
month = {Sat Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1980}
}