First Simulation Results for the Hybridization of Small Solar Power Tower Plants

Abstract

Solar thermal power plants are an emerging technology that provides clean electricity for the growing energy market. To this group of solar thermal systems belongs also the solar tower where a field of two-axis tracking heliostats reflects the solar radiation to the receiver aperture, where concentration ratios up to 1000 are reached. This offers the potential to provide higher steam temperatures to the power cycle or ultimately even high temperature heat to the gas turbine system of a combined cycle power plant. One major option for the accelerated market introduction of solar thermal power technology are solar-fossil hybrid power plants. Their advantage, compared to solar-only systems, lies in low additional investment costs due to an adaptable solar share and reduced technical and economical risks. In this paper a simulation model for the calculation of a hybrid power plant is described. Also the design and performance assessment of solar hybrid tower plants in the power levels of 1-2 MW, is presented. An advanced software tool library is developed for the modelling of such small hybrid power plants. Some first validation and simulation results for parts of a small solar tower power plant are described and discussed.