FEASIBILITY STUDY OF A HELIOTHERMIC PLANT IN THE STATE OF RIO GRANDE DO NORTE

Abstract

Concentrated Solar Energy (CSP) has been gaining ground in the world's energy matrix, given that it is a source clean, renewable and safe. Considering the potential of the Brazilian Northeast in heliothermic energy generation, this paper presents the main factors for the feasibility study of a CSP plant of central tower in three cities of the state of Rio Grande do Norte: Apodi, Caico and Mossoro. Using System Advisor Model (SAM) software as the main tool and the Gemasolar plant as a reference to for the initial design parameters, the results showed that Apodi was the most favorable for the plant's implementation of 19.9 MW, with solar multiple of 2.1, generating an optimized Levelized Cost of Electricity of 15.28 ¢/kWh and capacity factor of 61.5 %.