Theoretical Performance Analysis of Solar Chimney Power Plant for Kota Region of Rajasthan, India

Abstract

A solar chimney power plant (SCPP) sometimes also called 'solar updraft tower' is a part of the solar thermal group of indirect solar conversion technologies, utilizing a combination of solar air collector and central updraft tube or chimney to generate a solar induced convective flow which drives pressure staged turbines to generate electricity. In this paper the performance of a solar chimney power plant (SCPP) is evaluated if established in the Kota region of Rajasthan in India. Kota has high intensity of solar radiation with more than 270 sunny days in a year. To investigate the theoretical performance evaluation of the solar chimney power plant in Kota region, total energy generation and average power output for every ten minute interval has been calculated on the basis of solar radiation and temperature data provided by Centre for wind energy Technology (C-WET) available for the period from June 2011-May 2012 for every ten minute interval. Subsequently day wise and month wise calculations have been performed for energy generation and power output for the year June 2011 - May 2012. Further, annual average power output of SCPP is calculated at Kota for different sets of dimensions of SCPP and assuming different values of collector efficiency. Power produced at the plant established in Kota region is compared with power output estimated by J. Schlaich by their experience gained from prototype of SCPP in Manzanares, Spain. Land area required for solar chimney power plant if installed in Kota region of Rajasthan India is calculated for 200 MW capacity plant.