Performance modeling and techno-economic analysis of a modular concentrated solar power tower with latent heat storage
Publication Date
2018
Description
In this paper, we present performance simulations and techno-economic analysis of a modular dispatchable solar power tower. Using a heliostat field and power block three orders of magnitude smaller than conventional solar power towers, our unique configuration locates thermal storage and a power block directly on a tower receiver. To make the system dispatchable, a valved thermosyphon controls heat flow from a latent heat thermal storage tank to a Stirling engine. The modular design results in minimal balance of system costs and enables high deployment rates with a rapid realization of economies of scale. In this new analysis, we combine performance simulations with techno-economic analysis to evaluate levelized cost of electricity, and find that the system has potential for cost-competitiveness with natural gas peaking plants and alternative dispatchable renewables.
Journal
Applied Energy
Volume
217
First Page
143
Last Page
152
Department
Mechanical Engineering
Link to Published Version
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261918301946
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.02.067
Recommended Citation
Rea, Jonathan E., Christopher J. Oshman, Michele L. Olsen, Corey L. Hardin, Greg C. Glatzmaier, Nathan P. Siegel, Philip A. Parilla, David S. Ginley, and Eric S. Toberer. "Performance modeling and techno-economic analysis of a modular concentrated solar power tower with latent heat storage." Applied energy 217 (2018): 143-152.