TECHNO-ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY OF CONCENTRATED SOLAR POWER- THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE (CSP-TES) PLANTS IN MENA REGION USING SAM IN A DESERTEC CONCEPT

Abstract

In this study the Concentrated Solar Power Plants (CSP) coupled with Thermal Energy Storage (TES) are modelled using System Advisor Model (SAM) in the MENA region to estimate the technical and economic feasibility of these plants. The overall energy crisis and trends in the MENA region, the DESERTEC concept of the CSP-TES, has been evaluated. The required energy system modelling regarding design sizing of plants of various capacities at different locations has been conceptualized and implemented. The required flowrate and pressure operating conditions for the given molten salt are determined analytically. The required number of solar collector assemblies are also evaluated. The levelized Cost of Energy (LCoE), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Net Present Value (NPV), design capacity factors are obtained using SAM and are validated against the commercial CSP-TES plants.  The techno-economic analysis of DESERTEC mapped Renewable Energy plants in MENA region has manifested to be a technically viable energy system. TES backup of 7 hrs is financially viable and can provide stable electricity at the most economical unit rates throughout the lifetime of 25 years. A maximum CSP-TES capacity factor of 40% is possible for an optimized design. The Levelized Purchasing Power Agreement (LPPAs) & LCoEs of various MENA countries particularly in range of 50MW to 300MW simulated falls within the allowable range by International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).