Experiment and dynamic simulation of micro gas turbine combined with concentrated solar power system

Abstract

The solar micro gas turbine (SMGT) system is a promising solution to address the instability and intermittency of renewable energy sources. Its dynamic characteristics under unstable input conditions and uncertain output load demands are crucial for peak shaving. This paper constructs an SMGT system based on experiments with micro gas turbine (MGT) and concentrated solar power (CSP), analyzing the impact of integrating CSP system on the MGT. Then the performance of the SMGT under varying ambient conditions and load demands is studied. Results show that in grid-connected mode, the turbine speed of MGT and SMGT is determined by ambient temperature and set power, with electrical efficiency decreasing as temperature and DNI increase. The solar receiver in the SMGT should maximize temperature increase while maintaining pressure loss below 55 kPa. Additionally, a higher heat capacity can reduce sensitivity to ambient changes but also extends stabilization time. Under real solar radiation, the SMGT system can keep constant power within 0.6% fluctuation, with a solar share of 36.5%. When combined with photovoltaic, the hybrid system’s maximum power fluctuation does not exceed 2.6%, with a solar share of 48.8%. This study provides guidance for optimizing SMGT systems and their application in peak shaving scenarios.