Analysis of life-cycle levelized cost of electricity for tower solar thermal power

Tower solar thermal power (STP) is one of the most promising techniques of renewable energy in the world, but its development has slowed down because of its high cost. A life-cycle calculation model is built to predict the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of tower STP plants in China, and the integrating factors, including construction cost, the electricity generation and the operation & maintenance costs, are considered one by one. This study focuses on the downward-trend of heliostats cost caused by various motivations, through a method of decomposition of the manufacturing costs into material, manufacturing and transport cost. The study shows that the LCOE is declined by the development of the motivations of production capacity, installed capacity and technical matter, and the installed capacity makes the most significant effect. ©2015 State Grid Electric Power Research Institute Press