Performance Analysis and Optimization of Central Receiver Solar Thermal Power Plants for Utility Scale Power Generation

The paper puts forth the design, performance analysis, and optimization of a 100 MWe central receiver solar thermal power plant with thermal energy storage capability, which can be utilized effectively to meet the renewable energy targets of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). In this paper, three representative sites in KSA are selected for analysis as these sites experience an annual average direct normal irradiance (DNI) of more than 5.5 kWh/m(2)/day. The optimization approach presented in this work aims to arrive at the best possible design parameters that suit a particular location in accordance with its DNI profile. From the analysis, an annual energy of 559.61 GWh can be generated in Yanbu with eight hours of thermal energy storage, 18.19% plant efficiency, and a capacity factor of 61.1%. The central receiver plant in Abha would be able to offer an annual energy of 536.31 GWh with the highest plant efficiency of 18.97% and a capacity factor of 60.7%. The performance of the proposed design in the two locations of Yanbu and Abha fares better when compared to the operational plant data of central receiver plant in Crescent Dunes. Based on the findings, the proposed 100 MWe central receiver Solar thermal power plants can be effectively implemented in KSA to meet the energy demands of the region.