World location as associated factor for optimal operation model of Parabolic trough Concentrating Solar Thermal Power plants

Abstract

Concentrating Solar Thermal Power (CSP) technology provides a competitive source of energy for electricity generation. Within this technology and thanks to its great potential, Cylindrical Parabolic Concentrators (CCP) plants have become the type of electricity generation by renewable solar energy most widely spread around the world [1]. Nonetheless, the plant design and operation model are not unique; they must be adapted to the parameters of solar radiation from each particular location. This work focuses on the search of a mathematical model of CCP for optimal operation options, of double tank molten salt Thermal Energy Storage (TES) size and plant operation, designed for four different world locations. For each world location and within a regulated electric scenario, the analysis of the different ways of operation provides meaningful insights into the electricity generated. Therefore, the plant deployment points of storage tanks size and electric power generation can be established for optimal operation according to each radiation area. This comparative study uses a CCP standard solar thermal plant with 2 blocks of 50MWe net output. Certain parameters have been preset on modelling environment in order to establish a common basis for the model comparisons.