A Guideline of Feasibility Analysis and Design for Concentrated Solar Power Plants

Abstract

To resolve power crisis and reduce environmental effect of conventional power generation, a concentrated solar power (CSP) plant is a viable solution. This paper provides a comprehensive evaluation of four different CSP plant configurations, offers a comparison between CSP technologies and solar photovoltaic power plants, and proposes a general guideline for feasibility analysis and design of CSP plants. The detailed technical and financial specifications and analysis for setting up a parabolic trough-type CSP plant in Chittagong, Bangladesh, are provided as a case study. The simulation is carried out using the software known as “System Advisor Model.” This paper can serve as an important guideline for the future CSP plant design.