Hybrid-CSP in India: Technological and Economic Aspects

Abstract

India has an enormous potential for employing concentrated solar power (CSP) technology for energy generation. A great advantage of CSP is that it can be conveniently installed in parallel with existing fossil fuel power plants to deliver a synergetic setup, which will enable us to increase the efficiency of the existing plants without making major changes in the plant setup and machinery. India has not yet utilised this resource to its full capacity. This paper discusses the status of CSP in India and the possible ways in which we can hybridize it with the existing coal plants in Uttar Pradesh (A state of the India) by simulating and optimizing different CSP technology and their economic feasibility. In this various hybrid, CSP technologies linked with different energy resources are discussed in detail. Further, the methodology of the system and different factors and aspects of the technology are discussed, that affect the performance and efficiency of the system. Policies by the government also play a major role in the development of the solar technology in a country, without the support of the government it is very difficult for public and private sector companies to venture in this field of technology, as the initial investment is eminent. Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM), its policies, and how it has exerted a major influence in renewable, especially the solar sector in India in the past decade has been established. The various environment conditions like solar direct normal irradiance, wind-speed, land availability and economic factors like fixed cost expenses, inflation have been considered and areas suitable for CSP technology has been identified.