IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v129y2017icp158-170.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Techno-economic evaluation of modular hybrid concentrating solar power systems

Author

Listed:
  • Lim, Jin Han
  • Dally, Bassam B.
  • Chinnici, Alfonso
  • Nathan, Graham J.

Abstract

This paper assesses the influence on techno-economic performance of modularising hybrid Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) systems with fossil fuel backup for both a Hybrid Solar Receiver Combustor (HSRC), which integrates a combustor into a solar cavity receiver, and a Solar Gas Hybrid (SGH) system with a similar cavity receiver and a back-up boiler. It was found that the energy losses in a system of small-sized modules, which employs molten salt as its Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF), are dominated by trace heating owing to the increased piping over their larger receiver counterpart. However, this can be reduced significantly by using alternative HTFs with a lower melting point such as sodium. In addition, for modularisation to be cost effective requires it to also enable access to alternative, lower-cost manufacturing methods. That is, the benefit of standard learning rates is insufficient to lower the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) on its own. For a plant with 30 units of 1 MWth modules the LCOE is competitive, relative to a single unit of 30 MWth, after ∼10 plants are installed if the modularised components (i.e. heliostats, receivers and towers) can be decreased by >80% and >40% for molten salt and sodium as the HTF, respectively.

Suggested Citation

  • Lim, Jin Han & Dally, Bassam B. & Chinnici, Alfonso & Nathan, Graham J., 2017. "Techno-economic evaluation of modular hybrid concentrating solar power systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 158-170.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:129:y:2017:i:c:p:158-170
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2017.04.067
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544217306333
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2017.04.067?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tooraj Jamasb, 2007. "Technical Change Theory and Learning Curves: Patterns of Progress in Electricity Generation Technologies," The Energy Journal, , vol. 28(3), pages 51-72, July.
    2. Lim, Jin Han & Nathan, Graham J. & Hu, Eric & Dally, Bassam B., 2016. "Analytical assessment of a novel hybrid solar tubular receiver and combustor," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 298-307.
    3. Lim, Jin Han & Hu, Eric & Nathan, Graham J., 2016. "Impact of start-up and shut-down losses on the economic benefit of an integrated hybrid solar cavity receiver and combustor," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 10-20.
    4. McDonald, Alan & Schrattenholzer, Leo, 2001. "Learning rates for energy technologies," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 29(4), pages 255-261, March.
    5. Nathan, G.J. & Battye, D.L. & Ashman, P.J., 2014. "Economic evaluation of a novel fuel-saver hybrid combining a solar receiver with a combustor for a solar power tower," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 1235-1243.
    6. Jamasb, T. & Köhler, J., 2007. "Learning Curves For Energy Technology and Policy Analysis: A Critical Assessment," Cambridge Working Papers in Economics 0752, Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge.
    7. Zhang, H.L. & Baeyens, J. & Degrève, J. & Cacères, G., 2013. "Concentrated solar power plants: Review and design methodology," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 22(C), pages 466-481.
    8. Neber, Matthew & Lee, Hohyun, 2012. "Design of a high temperature cavity receiver for residential scale concentrated solar power," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 47(1), pages 481-487.
    9. Lim, Jin Han & Chinnici, Alfonso & Dally, Bassam B. & Nathan, Graham J., 2016. "Assessment of the potential benefits and constraints of a hybrid solar receiver and combustor operated in the MILD combustion regime," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 116(P1), pages 735-745.
    10. Neij, Lena, 1997. "Use of experience curves to analyse the prospects for diffusion and adoption of renewable energy technology," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 25(13), pages 1099-1107, November.
    11. Behar, Omar & Khellaf, Abdallah & Mohammedi, Kamal, 2013. "A review of studies on central receiver solar thermal power plants," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 23(C), pages 12-39.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Ma, Weiwu & Xue, Xinpei & Liu, Gang, 2018. "Techno-economic evaluation for hybrid renewable energy system: Application and merits," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 385-409.
    2. Wu, Yunna & Zhang, Buyuan & Wu, Chenghao & Zhang, Ting & Liu, Fangtong, 2019. "Optimal site selection for parabolic trough concentrating solar power plant using extended PROMETHEE method: A case in China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 1910-1927.
    3. Coronas, Sergio & Martín, Helena & de la Hoz, Jordi & García de Vicuña, Luis & Castilla, Miguel, 2021. "MONTE-CARLO probabilistic valuation of concentrated solar power systems in Spain under the 2014 retroactive regulatory framework," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    4. Thomassen, Gwenny & Van Passel, Steven & Dewulf, Jo, 2020. "A review on learning effects in prospective technology assessment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    5. Delise, T. & Tizzoni, A.C. & Menale, C. & Telling, M.T.F. & Bubbico, R. & Crescenzi, T. & Corsaro, N. & Sau, S. & Licoccia, S., 2020. "Technical and economic analysis of a CSP plant presenting a low freezing ternary mixture as storage and transfer fluid," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Lim, Jin Han & Chinnici, Alfonso & Dally, Bassam B. & Nathan, Graham J., 2016. "Assessment of the potential benefits and constraints of a hybrid solar receiver and combustor operated in the MILD combustion regime," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 116(P1), pages 735-745.
    2. Chinnici, A. & Nathan, G.J. & Dally, B.B., 2018. "Experimental demonstration of the hybrid solar receiver combustor," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 224(C), pages 426-437.
    3. Lafond, François & Bailey, Aimee Gotway & Bakker, Jan David & Rebois, Dylan & Zadourian, Rubina & McSharry, Patrick & Farmer, J. Doyne, 2018. "How well do experience curves predict technological progress? A method for making distributional forecasts," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 104-117.
    4. Samadi, Sascha, 2018. "The experience curve theory and its application in the field of electricity generation technologies – A literature review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 82(P3), pages 2346-2364.
    5. Yeh, Sonia & Rubin, Edward S., 2012. "A review of uncertainties in technology experience curves," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 34(3), pages 762-771.
    6. Lohwasser, Richard & Madlener, Reinhard, 2013. "Relating R&D and investment policies to CCS market diffusion through two-factor learning," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 439-452.
    7. Lim, Jin Han & Hu, Eric & Nathan, Graham J., 2016. "Impact of start-up and shut-down losses on the economic benefit of an integrated hybrid solar cavity receiver and combustor," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 10-20.
    8. Rubin, Edward S. & Azevedo, Inês M.L. & Jaramillo, Paulina & Yeh, Sonia, 2015. "A review of learning rates for electricity supply technologies," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 198-218.
    9. Lindman, Åsa & Söderholm, Patrik, 2012. "Wind power learning rates: A conceptual review and meta-analysis," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 34(3), pages 754-761.
    10. Karali, Nihan & Park, Won Young & McNeil, Michael, 2017. "Modeling technological change and its impact on energy savings in the U.S. iron and steel sector," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 202(C), pages 447-458.
    11. Elia, A. & Kamidelivand, M. & Rogan, F. & Ó Gallachóir, B., 2021. "Impacts of innovation on renewable energy technology cost reductions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    12. Pietzcker, Robert Carl & Stetter, Daniel & Manger, Susanne & Luderer, Gunnar, 2014. "Using the sun to decarbonize the power sector: The economic potential of photovoltaics and concentrating solar power," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 704-720.
    13. Santhakumar, Srinivasan & Meerman, Hans & Faaij, André, 2021. "Improving the analytical framework for quantifying technological progress in energy technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    14. Castrejon-Campos, Omar & Aye, Lu & Hui, Felix Kin Peng, 2022. "Effects of learning curve models on onshore wind and solar PV cost developments in the USA," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    15. Castrejon-Campos, Omar & Aye, Lu & Hui, Felix Kin Peng & Vaz-Serra, Paulo, 2022. "Economic and environmental impacts of public investment in clean energy RD&D," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    16. Przemysław Kaszyński & Jacek Kamiński, 2020. "Coal Demand and Environmental Regulations: A Case Study of the Polish Power Sector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-24, March.
    17. Okoroigwe, Edmund & Madhlopa, Amos, 2016. "An integrated combined cycle system driven by a solar tower: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 337-350.
    18. Mostafavi Tehrani, S. Saeed & Taylor, Robert A., 2016. "Off-design simulation and performance of molten salt cavity receivers in solar tower plants under realistic operational modes and control strategies," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 698-715.
    19. Bolinger, Mark & Wiser, Ryan, 2009. "Wind power price trends in the United States: Struggling to remain competitive in the face of strong growth," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(3), pages 1061-1071, March.
    20. Hussain, C.M. Iftekhar & Norton, Brian & Duffy, Aidan, 2017. "Technological assessment of different solar-biomass systems for hybrid power generation in Europe," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 68(P2), pages 1115-1129.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:129:y:2017:i:c:p:158-170. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.