On-line power management for grid-connected solar chimney power plants with various heat storages

Integration with the grid is the general trend in the development of solar chimney power plant (SCPP). It is important to dispatch the electricity from the grid-connected SCPP in a proper manner. The power dispatching scheme would be changed by various heat storages which can control the power output profile of the SCPP. Optimal design of the heat storage in the SCPP aiming at minimizing the total electricity dispatched (TED) remains unknown. The governing equations regarding air flow and heat transfer are solved to realize 24-hour simulation of SCPP. The power dispatching scheme is then available based on the calculated power output profile and a specified load curve using the integration method. The influences of various heat storages and various solar radiation intensities on power dispatching are evaluated. Results show the water-filled systems perform better than natural grounds in reducing the TED generally. The TED can be a design index of the heat storage in the SCPP. The power dispatching schemes are classified into three categories according to various solar radiation intensities. The water-filled heat storage of 0.2 m in thickness performs the best in this paper.