Potential Map for the Installation of Concentrated Solar Power Towers in Chile

Catalina Hernández,Rodrigo Barraza,Danilo Estay,Alejandro Saez,Mercedes Ibarra

doi:10.3390/en13092131

Catalina Hernández, Rodrigo Barraza + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/en13092131

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Abstract

This study aims to build a potential map for the installation of a central receiver concentrated solar power plant in Chile under the terms of the average net present cost of electricity generation during its lifetime. This is also called the levelized cost of electricity, which is a function of electricity production, capital costs, operational costs and financial parameters. The electricity production, capital and operational costs were defined as a function of the location through the Chilean territory. Solar resources and atmospheric conditions for each site were determined. A 130 MWe concentrated solar power plant was modeled to estimate annual electricity production for each site. The capital and operational costs were identified as a function of location. The electricity supplied by the power plant was tested, quantifying the potential of the solar resources, as well as technical and economic variables. The results reveal areas with great potential for the development of large-scale central receiver concentrated solar power plants, therefore accomplishing a low levelized cost of energy. The best zone is located among the Arica and Parinacota region and the northern part of the Coquimbo region, which shows an average cost of 89 USD/MWh, with a minimum of 76 USD/MWh near Copiapó.

Highlights

Concentrated solar power (CSP) plants are distinguished over other solar technologies because they provide energy, power and ancillary services to the electricity market, aspects that other technologies do not have within their commercial scheme
The CSP technology is characterized with clean electricity production, low variable cost, high capacity factor when thermal energy storage (TES) is considered and a high potential of contributing towards a robust electrical grid
In comparison with other CSP technologies, the CSP tower technology is able to work with higher temperatures to achieve greater efficiencies in the power block where the thermal energy is converted into electricity, which results in a lower power generation cost [2,3]

Summary

Introduction

Concentrated solar power (CSP) plants are distinguished over other solar technologies because they provide energy, power and ancillary services to the electricity market, aspects that other technologies do not have within their commercial scheme. The CSP plants have the feature of managing their inter-hour operation with a low-cost operation, fast boot time and operation, rotative machine inertia, primary and secondary frequency control and tension control [1]. The commercialization of CSP is limited by its relatively high cost of electricity generation. In comparison with other CSP technologies (parabolic trough and linear Fresnel), the CSP tower technology is able to work with higher temperatures to achieve greater efficiencies in the power block where the thermal energy is converted into electricity, which results in a lower power generation cost [2,3]. The economic feasibility of energy related projects requires thorough testing by means of adequate estimation techniques in order to estimate the electricity generation cost regardless of Energies 2020, 13, 2131; doi:10.3390/en13092131 www.mdpi.com/journal/energies

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