Solar Chimney Power Plants: A Review of the Concepts, Designs and Performances

Erdem Cuce,Pinar Mert Cuce,Harun Sen,Reza Daneshazarian,Md Hasanuzzaman,Kumarasamy Sudhakar,Salvatore Carlucci

doi:10.3390/su14031450

Abstract

This research presents a comprehensive review of solar chimney power plants (SCPP) as a reliable source of renewable electricity generation. Solar chimney power plants differ from other renewable energy technologies because thermal and momentum effects result in 24-h electricity generation. However, they are influenced by a wide range of design, geometrical and operational parameters, and environmental conditions. This review evaluates the design aspects and the theoretical, numerical, experimental, and performance findings in previous works holistically and concisely. The study also extensively discusses the various optimization strategies, advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of solar chimney power plants. Energy storage aspects and hybrid system designs are also addressed in the present review in order to overcome the known handicaps and limitations of solar chimney power plants. The performance figures of the technology are clearly demonstrated as a function of the design and operational conditions, and future prospects are discussed in detail. It is hoped that designers and policymakers will gain valuable insight into the technological features and advancements of solar chimney power plants, assisting them in making a better-informed decision.

Highlights

Electricity consumption has increased per capita due to technological developments and their impact on human life
The present study focused on the comprehensive literature on the various concepts, designs and performances of solar chimney power plants (SCPP)
The power output can be maximized using innovative approaches in collector and chimney design which are appropriate to the local geographical conditions

Summary

Introduction

Electricity consumption has increased per capita due to technological developments and their impact on human life. The vast majority of the world’s population lives with technological devices, such that this union causes the need for electricity to increase day by day. Fossil fuel is the primary source to meet the energy demand. The increase in the energy demand due to population has increased the use of fossil fuels, bringing serious environmental pollution and CO2 emissions. Technology has brought comfort and Sustainability 2022, 14, 1450. Sustainability 2022, 14, 1450 prosperity into our lives, but it negatively impacts our health due to pollutants. In the last ten years alone (2008–2018), CO2 emissions have increased by more than 10% across the world (Table 1) [1]

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