Assessment of solar options for small power systems applications. Volume I. Executive summary
A comparative analysis of solar thermal conversion concepts that are potentially suitable for development as small electric power systems (1 to 10 MWe) is presented. 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 (the Point Focus Central Receiver and the Point Focus Distributed Receiver) were analyzed with Brayton-cycle engines, and the latter of the two also was analyzed with Stirling-cycle engines. With these engine options, 10 systems were formulated for analysis. Conceptual designs developed for the 10 systems were based on common assumptions of available technology in the 1990 to 2000 time frame. The computer code SOLSTEP was used to analyze the thermodynamic performance characteristics and energy costs of the 10 concepts. Year-long simulations were performed using meteorological and insolation data for Barstow, California as input to the code. Results for each concept include levelized energy costs and capacity factors for various combinations of storage capacity and collector field size. For all 10 concepts, subjective values were estimated for four additional power plant characteristics: plant flexibility, forced outage rate, environmental and safety effects, and R and D necessary for commercialization. Multiattribute utility methodology was used to rank the 10 concepts. (WHK)
- Research Organization:
- Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, WA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- EY-76-C-06-1830
- OSTI ID:
- 5746702
- Report Number(s):
- PNL-4000(Vol.1)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
SOLAR THERMAL POWER PLANTS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COST
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
BRAYTON CYCLE
CAPACITY
CENTRAL RECEIVERS
COMPOUND PARABOLIC CONCENTRATORS
COMPUTER CALCULATIONS
DECISION MAKING
DISTRIBUTED COLLECTOR POWER PLANTS
EVALUATION
FIXED MIRROR COLLECTORS
HELIOSTATS
PARABOLIC DISH COLLECTORS
PARABOLIC REFLECTORS
PARABOLIC TROUGH COLLECTORS
PERFORMANCE
POWER RANGE 1-10 MW
POWER SYSTEMS
RANKINE CYCLE
SOLAR TRACKING
STIRLING CYCLE
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
THERMODYNAMICS
TOWER FOCUS POWER PLANTS
CONCENTRATING COLLECTORS
PARABOLIC COLLECTORS
POWER PLANTS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
SOLAR RECEIVERS
SOLAR REFLECTORS
140700* - Solar Thermal Power Systems