Optimization and Techno-Economic Assessment of 50 MWe Solar Tower Power Plant for Different Climatic Zones in Pakistan

Abstract

Optimal sizing of solar tower power (STP) plant with full load thermal energy storage (TES) hours and solar multiple (SM) is a challenge to reduce the overall cost of the system and increase system outputs. The growing trends of STP technology worldwide due to its higher efficiency make it an attractive option for several potential sites in Pakistan. The primary aim of this study is to check the effect of SM, solar field, TES hours and design point irradiance on the capacity factor (CF), annual energy generation (AEG) and levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for STP plant with air-cooled and no backup system. The multi-objective optimization, comparison, and feasibility analysis of 50MW concentrated STP plant were performed at nine stations, receiving more than 1600 kWh/m 2 average annual direct normal irradiance (DNI), using the economic model of Pakistan. The solar radiation data of nine stations, used for performance analysis, was measured by ESMAP of the world bank. The techno-economic evaluation of the initial and optimized designs revealed that the optimized design has higher CF, AEG, and lower LCOE. It was found that LCOE depends on the SM, TES hours and DNI value of the location. The results indicate that the least LCOE under the optimized configuration of the proposed plant for Khuzdar is 6.67 ¢/kWh, followed by Quetta 7.25 ¢/kWh for Salt 1 (60% NaNO 3 and 40% KNO 3 ). It is, therefore, concluded that Khuzdar is the best-suited place for STP plant installation, followed by Quetta, and Lahore is the least suitable out of the nine stations.