Abstract
Parabolic-trough solar-thermal power-plant investments are subordinate to radiation availability, thermal-energy storage capacity, and dynamic behavior. Their integration into electricity markets is made by minimizing grid-connection costs, thus improving energy-availability and economic-efficiency levels. In this context, this work analyzes the sizing-investment adequacy of a 100 MWe parabolic-trough solar-thermal power plant regarding solar resources and thermal energy into power-block availability for both regulated and deregulated electricity markets. For this proposal, the design of a mathematical model for the optimal operation of parabolic-trough power plants with thermal storage by two tanks of molten salt is described. Model calibration is made by using a currently operated plant. Solar-resource availability is studied in three different radiation scenarios. The levelized cost of electricity and production profit relating to the investment cost are used to analyze plant sustainability. Thus, the levelized cost of electricity shows the best plant configuration for each radiation scenario within a regulated market. For deregulated markets, the optimal plant configuration tends to enhance the solar multiple and thermal-storage capacity thanks to an increment on selling profit. The gross average annual benefit for electricity generation of deregulated against regulated markets exceeds 21% in all radiation areas under study.
Highlights
Research areas in solar radiation, energy storage, and electricity generation are some the most important technological challenges regarding the exploitation and integration of renewable energy in the electricity market (EM) at the same level as conventional sources [1,2,3]
2009/28/EC, have reported technicians and departments connected with renewable energies and, with solar thermal energy and electricity production
The results show the optimal solution for solar multiple (SM), Thermal-energy storage (TES) and electricity sales benefits
Summary
Research areas in solar radiation, energy storage, and electricity generation (and their control systems even more so) are some the most important technological challenges regarding the exploitation and integration of renewable energy in the electricity market (EM) at the same level as conventional sources [1,2,3]. European Union (EU) legislation evolution has followed the dynamics of deregulation that allowed the evolution of installed power capacity on renewable resources in parallel with the development of renewable-resource technologies. This directly depends on technical and legislative factors related to economic support for investment in the construction of this type of power-generation system. Energies 2019, 12, 3973 which ensure the economic viability of power plants [5] In this way, parabolic-trough (PT) solar-thermal power plants, together with the development of thermal-storage systems, allow the increase of electricity generation for solar-thermal systems, and to make PT plants renewable-energy systems able to meet the requirements of electricity consumption by each hour by
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