Journal
APPLIED ENERGY
Volume 217, Issue -, Pages 143-152Publisher
ELSEVIER SCI LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.02.067
Keywords
Concentrated solar power; Latent heat storage; System modeling; Thermodynamic modeling; Techno-economic modeling
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Funding
- U.S. Department of Energy [DE-AC36-08GO28308]
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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.
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