Solar Chimney Power Research Articles

Comparison of the influence of solid and phase change materials as a thermal storage medium on the performance of a solar chimney

AbstractThis paper studies the heat storage system's influence on a solar chimney's power production. This study considers several material types, including solid and phase change materials, at the bottom section of a solar chimney for energy storage, and evaluates their effects on the energy yield and capacity to prolong the power output during the absence of the sun. A computational fluid dynamic model using COMSOL Multiphysics is performed to carry out this work. An initial steady‐state analysis using average monthly irradiance is implemented, after which the top two solid and phase change material options are selected. Subsequently, a time‐dependent simulation using a typical summer day is carried out for the chosen storage materials. The overall performance results are comparatively assessed in terms of average temperature, power generation, and efficiency. As a result, bismuth‐led‐tin‐cadmium and magnesium chloride hexahydrate present the highest power production among the phase change materials, giving a yearly average power output of 27.46 kW and a storage temperature of about 346 K. On the other hand, sandstone offers the highest overall annual average power production, yielding 31.49 kW, and a storage temperature of 352.17 K. This material also reflects the highest yearly average energy and exergy efficiencies with 0.122% and 0.128%, respectively.

Analysis and feasibility of implementing solar chimney power plants in the Mediterranean region

This paper analyzes the feasibility of solar chimney power plants as an environmentally acceptable energy source for small settlements and islands of countries in the Mediterranean region. For the purpose of these analyses, two characteristic geographic locations (Split and Dubrovnik) in Croatia were chosen and simplified model for calculation of produced electric power output is also developed. These locations possess typical characteristics of the Mediterranean climate. The solar characteristics of the chosen geographic locations are shown along with characteristic meteorological data. A solar chimney (SC) power plant with a chimney height of 550 m and a collector roof diameter of 1250 m would produce 2.8–6.2 MW of power. The average annual electric power production of this SC power plant would range between 4.9 and 8.9 GWh/year, but in reality from 5.0 to 6.0 GWh/year in average. An approximate costs analysis, which included a total investment estimate, was performed. The levelized electricity cost was also calculated. It is found that the price of produced electric energy by solar chimney power plant in Mediterranean region is considerably higher compared to the other power sources.