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Optimal configurations and operations of concentrating solar power plants under new market trends

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  • Keyif, Enes
  • Hornung, Michael
  • Zhu, Wanshan

Abstract

It is a challenge for investors to decide optimal configurations and operations of a concentrating solar power plant because of the new market trends, namely that the governments no longer offer secured and fixed tariff schemes regulated by Power Purchase Agreements, nor do they continue to provide subsidy over the power plant’s entire life. The concentrating solar power plant must adjust configurations and operations to address market price variation and subsidy decrease. This study presents a non-linear optimization model that captures the critical component investment costs and operational flexibility in the plant configuration. We use it to analyze economies of scale, thermal energy storage, economic curtailment, and hybrid systems with wind plant, and to evaluate their impact on plant configuration decisions under the new market trends. First, we find that the economic performance of the concentrating solar power plant, despite market price variation and subsidy decrease, can be enhanced substantially by optimal configurations and operations flexibility, which improve the overall plant utilization. Second, compared to the traditional fixed tariff scheme, the market-price-based tariff scheme can yield substantially higher net present value for the plant investment, due to the optimal configurations and flexible operations. Finally, our sensitivity analyses show that the optimal plant configurations are significantly affected by market price variations and the constraints of transmission line capacity.

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  • Keyif, Enes & Hornung, Michael & Zhu, Wanshan, 2020. "Optimal configurations and operations of concentrating solar power plants under new market trends," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 270(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:270:y:2020:i:c:s0306261920305924
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.115080
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    3. Zhao, Yuxuan & Liu, Shengyuan & Lin, Zhenzhi & Wen, Fushuan & Ding, Yi, 2021. "Coordinated scheduling strategy for an integrated system with concentrating solar power plants and solar prosumers considering thermal interactions and demand flexibilities," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 304(C).
    4. Ju, Liwei & Bai, Xiping & Li, Gen & Gan, Wei & Qi, Xin & Ye, Fan, 2024. "Two-stage robust transaction optimization model and benefit allocation strategy for new energy power stations with shared energy storage considering green certificate and virtual energy storage mode," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 362(C).
    5. Vasallo, Manuel Jesús & Cojocaru, Emilian Gelu & Gegúndez, Manuel Emilio & Marín, Diego, 2021. "Application of data-based solar field models to optimal generation scheduling in concentrating solar power plants," Mathematics and Computers in Simulation (MATCOM), Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 1130-1149.
    6. Gao, Datong & Zhong, Shuai & Ren, Xiao & Kwan, Trevor Hocksun & Pei, Gang, 2022. "The energetic, exergetic, and mechanical comparison of two structurally optimized non-concentrating solar collectors for intermediate temperature applications," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 881-898.
    7. Gao, Datong & Wu, Lijun & Hao, Yong & Pei, Gang, 2022. "Ultrahigh-efficiency solar energy harvesting via a non-concentrating evacuated aerogel flat-plate solar collector," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 196(C), pages 1455-1468.
    8. Yu, Yanghao & Du, Ershun & Chen, Zhichao & Su, Yibo & Zhang, Xianfeng & Yang, Hongbin & Wang, Peng & Zhang, Ning, 2022. "Optimal portfolio of a 100% renewable energy generation base supported by concentrating solar power," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    9. Georgios E. Arnaoutakis & Georgia Kefala & Eirini Dakanali & Dimitris Al. Katsaprakakis, 2022. "Combined Operation of Wind-Pumped Hydro Storage Plant with a Concentrating Solar Power Plant for Insular Systems: A Case Study for the Island of Rhodes," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-23, September.

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