Analytical assessment of a concentrated solar sub-critical thermal power plant using low temperature heat transfer fluid

The paper presents energy–exergy–economic–environment–ethics analysis of a concentrated solar thermal power plant. Design basis of a concentrated solar power for 24 h operation on parabolic trough collector technology in best suited direct normal irradiation location and least capital cost analysis has been presented. An unconventional approach of reducing the capital cost is analyzed by intentionally designing the power plant for sub-critical conditions using a low-cost mineral oil with permissible operating temperature of 320°C in place of the conventional synthetic solar grade oil of 400°C. Using low pressure and temperature steam in the plant, it has been shown that while there is a reduction of 0.1% in energetic efficiency, there is a gain of 0.28% in the exergetic efficiency of the solar power plant conditions, gross thermal efficiency decreases by 1.18% and the net thermal efficiency decreases by 2.91%. However, the energetic and exergetic utilization factor for heat transfer fluid is increased by 0.84 and 5.58%, respectively. By suitably adjusting the solar field configuration and inlet oil temperature, energy savings to the tune of 45% is possible apart from 2.5 times of cost saving. An attempt has been made to quantifiably assess the ethics of switching to renewable electricity through shared responsibility as a novelty in the study. The payback period for the investment has also been shown to reduce from 20 years to 5 years assuming that the carbon price increases, concentrated solar power cost comes down by 25%, and cost at which electricity can be sold increases to US $0.14 (Rs. 10) per unit.