Energy Nexus (Mar 2023)
A transient model for clean electricity generation using Solar energy and ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) - case study: Karkheh dam - southwest Iran
Abstract
Given the limitations of fossil fuels, humans must develop alternate energy sources. Solar energy and ocean thermal energy are known as a safe, secure, promising, and clean instrument for this purpose due to their enormous potential. A hybrid system of solar energy and ocean thermal energy with a thermoelectric generator is examined in this study to generate clean electricity and utilize the water temperature difference of the Karkheh dam. The system under consideration is made up of flat panel solar collector subsystems and a Rankin organic cycle. To model the analyzed system and acquire system analysis results, thermodynamic software of EES engineering equations solving was employed. The collector area, solar radiation intensity, ambient temperature, and input temperature to the turbine have all been studied as parameters affecting system outputs. The system's economic research revealed that the solar unit, evaporator, and ORC turbine have the highest cost rates among the system components. Furthermore, the system's exergy study revealed that the solar unit and evaporator suffered the highest exergy destruction. For one year, a case study was conducted on the water temperature difference at Karkheh Dam, and the findings of system performance were assessed. The results demonstrated that the best system performance is obtained under summer weather conditions in Andimeshk. The results showed that the proposed system's total output power in relation to the difference in water temperature of Karkheh Dam is 1,192,607/9 kW per year, and that this system can meet the energy needs of 111 households in Andimeshk throughout the year. According to the results, the system described in this study is suitable for the required applications.
