Operational strategies for Kuwait's 100 kW e/0.7MW th solar power plant

Abstract

In March 1981 a 0.7 MW th solar thermal power plant was commissioned at Kuwait's Sulaibiya Solar Complex. The cogeneration of solar power plant was designed to be the main energy supplier for an agricultural desert settlement 35 km south-west of Kuwait City. The power plant produces both the electric and thermal energy needs for its own internal uses and those of the food/water/power complex. The electric users, outside the power plant's own needs, include water pumping from a 110 metre deep water well, an outdoor irrigation network, four desert greenhouses, a walk-in cooler, air conditioning, a reverse osmosis (R.O.) desalination plant, as well as the electric power needs for a multistage flash (M.S.F.) desalination plant, offices, workshop, data acquisition and lighting. The reject thermal energy from the power plant is utilized to power an M.S.F. desalination plant, and the domestic hot water needs. The power plant operational strategies are aimed at satisfying the energy needs for this food/water/power complex under prevailing solar radiation conditions while minimizing the inconvenience to the user (the complex) and maximizing the percent of the total energy derived from the sun (solar fraction). Surplus energy is stored as electric energy, thermal energy, or used to desalinate additional volumes of brackish water which can be stored in strategic water reservoirs. During periods of low solar radiation the power plant may be operated at partial load to supply the essential electric energy needs, charge the thermal storage, or provide the thermal energy needs for the MSF desalination system. An energy cost accounting system was developed to encourage the user to minimize his electric consumption during periods of low solar radiation. A mathematical energy model for the power plant was utilized to predict its output and suggest the optimum operational strategy according to the user's priorities, and predict surpluses or shortages that have to be accommodated by the emergency secondary energy source.