3E-CSP: Energy, Economic and Environmental analysis of a novel Solar Concentrating Power Plant
Project Description
The 3E-CSP project investigates a novel beam-down concentrating solar power system designed for maximum optical and thermal efficiency. Our approach involves system level investigation including the design of the collector, and the integration with thermal energy storage and thermodynamic power cycles.
- Beam-down Linear Fresnel Collector: Design of the secondary beam-down reflector. Integration with a Compound Parabolic Concentrator (CPC). Optical and thermal investigation of the collector.
- Thermal Energy Storage: Integration of the collector with a thermal energy storage unit. Investigation of sensible and latent storage solutions.
- Power Generation: Integration of the collector with high-efficient thermodynamic power cycles for power production. Investigation of the cogeneration concept (combined heat and power).
- System analysis: Technoeconomic and life-cycle analysis of the system.
Objectives
1. Design a compact novel solar concentrating collector
Design of a solar concentrating system, which includes primary slightly bent mirrors and a secondary upper reflector, to achieve reduced height, lower material use, and high-power production density.
2. Increase the optical and thermal efficiency of the solar concentrating collector
The solar collector will be optically and thermally optimized, aiming to maximize the absorbed solar rays on the absorber and to minimize the thermal losses from the absorber.
3. Design a cost-effective thermal storage system with high storage density
Design of different thermal energy storage systems, including sensible, thermocline, and latent units, at a high temperature (>300oC), achieving high volumetric storage density (kWh/m3), reasonable cost, and low thermal losses.
4. Design a highly efficient proper power block
Design an ORC power system implementing a recuperator, double expansion, and reheating to maximize the thermodynamic efficiency.
5. Mapping the system performance in the different Greek locations
Mapping the system efficiency, electricity/heating yield, and LCOE for different geographical regions of Greece.
6. Cost reduction and environmental gains
Economic and environmental evaluation, multi-objective optimization of the entire installation, and comparison with existing CSP plant technologies.
Expected outcomes
1. Optimized collector design achieving 30-40% reduction in height and 20-25% reduction in material use.
4. Design of an ORC power unit to achieve high thermodynamic efficiency up to 25% and heat & power cogeneration efficiency up to 60%.
2. Highly efficient collector design leading to 10% increased thermal efficiency compared to existing linear Fresnel systems.
5. Provide detailed maps of the system performance for different regions of Greece, promoting wider implementation.
3. Design of a thermal energy storage system with a high volumetric storage density of about 200 kWh/m3.
6. Reduction of the system investment cost by 10-20% along with a significant reduction in CO2 emissions.
Research Methodology
The 3E-CSP project focuses on the design, optimization, and multi-criteria evaluation of an innovative concentrating solar system, structured across specialized Work Packages:
- Design of the solar collector (WP1): Design and investigation of a beam-down linear Fresnel concentrator for maximum optical performance.
- Design of the storage system (WP2): Detailed analysis of different storage solutions, including latent storage with phase change materials, and thermocline storage with thermal oil.
- Design of the power block (WP3): Investigation of the optimal coupling of the collector and storage units with thermodynamic power cycles, including organic Rankine cycles with multiple layouts and different working fluids.
- Dynamic performance analysis (WP4): Dynamic analysis for all the investigated configurations under the climate conditions for several Greek regions.
- Sustainability and multi-objective evaluation (WP5 & WP6): Technoeconomic analysis and environmental evaluation of the system, investigating the sustainability of the proposed solution.
Work packages
3E-CSP project is organized into 8 work packages (WPs). Each WP provides critical steps towards the project implementation.
Design, optimization and investigation of the solar collector
Design a compact collector performing thermal & optical analysis to achieve high efficiency in different operating cases and maximize the useful heat production.
Design of the storage system
Design and compare different thermal energy storage solutions (sensible, thermocline, latent).
Design of the power block
Design of an ORC power block to achieve high efficiency by implementing various working fluids and configurations.
Energy performance investigation of the CSP plant
Performance investigation under dynamic conditions, energy and exergy performance analysis, and system optimization.
Economic and environmental investigation of the CSP plant
Economic evaluation and investigation of the environmental impact of the CSP plant.
Multi-objective evaluation and comparison with other CSP
Multi-objective optimization of the CSP plant, comparison with existing CSP technologies, and evaluation of future sustainability aspects.
Dissemination, Communication and Exploitation
Development of dissemination, communication, and exploitation plan, tools, activities, and long-term exploitation plan of the project.
Project coordination and management
Coordination of all project activities to be conducted efficiently, within schedule and budget, providing high-quality research and scientific outcomes.
Funded by the H.F.R.I
Energy, Economic and Environmental analysis of a novel Solar Concentrating Power Plant (3E-CSP) has received funding from the Hellenic Foundation for Research & Innovation within the framework of the “3rd Call for H.F.R.I’s Research Projects to Support Faculty Members & Researchers” (Project Number: 23538).
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