Improving the Thermal Power Plant Efficiency through the Use of Solar Technologies

Abstract

The demand for energy is growing rapidly with the development and improvement of the standard of living in the world. The interaction between energy generation facilities and the environment is a topic that requires close attention, since these two components have a significant influence on the human existence and progressive growth of productive forces. Over the past few decades, the main attention has been paid to research aimed at improving conventional power plants, reducing harmful emissions into the environment, and introducing renewable energy sources. One of the ways to develop thermal power plants and reduce the impact on the environment is hybridization of solar technologies with thermal power plants. An overview of solar technologies used in the energy sector is given. A hybrid thermal power plant (TPP) aided by solar technology, known as Solar Aided Power Generation (SAPG), is briefly described. A hybrid model of an SAPG plant is considered, and the efficiency of such power plants is analyzed. The conditions of the People Republic of Bangladesh were chosen for the calculations. Information on the current state of the Bangladesh energy sector, on the climatic features of the country, and on the potential for introducing hybrid solar technologies in it is given. The power plant model was simulated using the Thermoflex software produced by the Thermoflow company. The calculation results have shown that the SAPG plant annually generates by about 25% more power than the standalone concentrated solar power plant.