Abstract
In this work, the energy status and supply plans of Saudi Arabia are discussed with a focus on concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies. Subsequently, optimal designs for a 20 MWe solar power plant external receiver, combined with a 15 h thermal energy storage unit, operating under the weather conditions of Neom City, located in northeast Saudi Arabia, is proposed. The effects of receiver tube diameters, tube thicknesses, tube thermal conductivity and receiver’s performance are studied in detail and compared to those used in a well know operational CSP plant. Results show that a smaller tube diameter and thickness give higher receiver thermal efficiency but increase the annual cost of pumping energy. However, that increment in cost is negligible compared to the total energy gained. Furthermore, the aspect ratio is investigated and it was found that a higher aspect ratio gives a higher thermal efficiency. The thermal efficiency of the optimised receiver was increased by about 1% more than the reference plant. In addition, the new design decreases the total estimated cost of tube material by approximately 43%. It is anticipated that the reported results could pave the path for more efficient solar thermal power plants.
Highlights
At present, as in most parts of the world, conventional electric power generation is the main source of electricity in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)
In Saudi Arabia, where solar energy is in abundance, using solar power tower (SPT) technology will boost the national energy mix plan for 2032
The optimal geometry for an external receiver used for a SPT plant was investigated in detail
Summary
As in most parts of the world, conventional electric power generation is the main source of electricity in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). It is expected the demand for electricity in KSA will increase from 55 GW to about 121 GW by 2032, with a gap of 61 GW between the capacity of projected plants and the predicted demand [1]. More attention should be given to renewable energy generation technologies. The recently announced energy mix plan in KSA for 2032 is shown in Figure 1 [1]. 1. Renewable energy mix plan in in [GW]
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