Optimal Offering and Operating Strategy of CSP Plants under Different Support Mechanisms

Abstract

The current support mechanism for CSP plants in China does not take into account the impact of offering and operating strategies on the economic value of CSP plants, which plays a crucial role for the viability of the CSP plant investment. This paper proposed a bi-level stochastic programming model investigating the market behavior and economic benefits of CSP plants under typical renewable energy support mechanisms. Firstly, four typical support mechanisms were introduced, and a cost-benefit model for the life-cycle of CSP plants was constructed. Secondly, a coordinated optimization of the operation and bidding model for CSP plants was established to study the market behavior of CSP plants under different mechanisms. Finally, the impact of key mechanism parameters on the economic benefit of CSP plants was quantitatively analyzed. The results have a certain reference value for the promotion of CSP support mechanisms.