A Definitive Model of a Small-Scale Concentrated Solar Power Hybrid Plant Using Air as Heat Transfer Fluid with a Thermal Storage Section and ORC Plants for Energy Recovery

Abstract

The aim of this work was to propose a small-scale Concentrated Solar Power plant using conventional technologies, in order to improve their flexibility and performances, and reinforce their competitiveness compared to traditional systems. Additionally, this study analyzed the possibility of providing continuity of energy production through an optimized hybrid system, which considered thermal energy storage from a gaseous Heat Transfer Fluid, air. It also considered the possibility of recovering part of the energy of the thermodynamic cycle through an Organic Rankine Cycle system with appropriate dimensions. The final outcomes were a 170 kW CSP plant with about 805 MWh of annual electricity production with a global solar capacity of 32.5%, about 900 kWh of thermal storage daily capacity, and an ORC recovery section of 54.2 kW with a specific production of 260 MWh/y.

Keywords

• solar energy
• concentrated solar power
• parabolic trough
• heat transfer fluid
• thermal energy storage