Abstract
Based on the examination of the efficiency of solar plants, this study focuses on three main plants: a photovoltaic (PV) plant, a concentrated solar power (CSP) plant, and a hybrid PV/CSP plant. The modelling of the three plants has been implemented to evaluate the influence of design parameters (orientation angles, solar multiple (SM), thermal energy storage capacity (TES), and fraction of hybridization) on them. Several simulations have been recreated and discussed in details to study the optimal configuration of the two first plants and the profitability of the PV/CSP plants for Ouarzazate (Morocco) location. The findings demonstrate that the optimal orientation angles and TES/SM, respectively, affect the performances of PV and CSP plants, and they also reveal that PV/CSP systems have the benefits to increase the annual energy produced, reduce the cost, and offer a high dispatchability to supply a baseload. The implementing of optimal PV/CSP plant has a great economic impact on Ouarzazate city.
Highlights
Climate change and shortage of natural resources for power production combined with the high increase of energy demand are posing a challenging scenario for the future energy supply [1]
For SM = 4, the capacity factor is increased by 3.6% according to scenario 4 compared with scenario 5 (SM = 4) and the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) is decreased by 41.3% which results that the scenario 4 has a high cost-effective performance
Orientations angle, solar multiple, thermal storage size, and fraction of hybridization are considered the principal design parameters; the objective is to study their effect on the PV, concentrating solar power (CSP), and PVCSP plants in terms of cost and energy production
Summary
Climate change and shortage of natural resources for power production combined with the high increase of energy demand are posing a challenging scenario for the future energy supply [1]. In this context, nations worldwide have to seek for clean and efficient techniques to cover their energy demands for the years to come. The conversion of solar energy into electricity involves using two types of solar energy processes: photovoltaic (PV) and concentrating solar power (CSP) [1] Today, they have reached different levels of growth and penetration. The PV technology has a highest commercial level than the CSP technology which is in rapid maturation [5]
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