Comparative analysis of integrating different power cycles into a concentrated solar power plant

Abstract

A techno-economic analysis of integrating three different cycles into a concentrated solar power plant is performed. The steam Rankine, organic Rankine, and Kalina cycles were compared in terms of hourly and annual basis. These three layouts were analyzed over the year to determine the most appropriate layout based on performance and cost. The results revealed that the steam Rankine cycle generates 8.38 GWh of power annually, surpassing the 7.90GWh from the Kalina cycle and the 7.72GWh from the organic Rankine cycle. Economically, the organic Rankine cycle was more economical in terms of initial and operational costs, as well as the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of 16.30¢$/kWh; additionally, the Kalina cycle, while efficient, was costly in addition to the high LCOE of 17.45¢$/kWh, and it was the lowest value of LCOE in the layout running on the steam Rankine cycle of 16.10¢$/kWh. The results of this study provide important insights into the effectiveness of each power cycle in solar power plants, helping to choose the most suitable based on performance, efficiency, hydrogen production, and cost.