Modeling the potential for thermal concentrating solar power technologies

In this paper we explore the tradeoffs between thermal storage capacity, cost, and other system parameters in order to examine possible evolutionary pathways for thermal concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies. A representation of CSP performance that is suitable for incorporation into economic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Energy policy 2010-12, Vol.38 (12), p.7884-7897
Main Authors: Zhang, Yabei, Smith, Steven J., Kyle, G. Page, Stackhouse, Paul W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Assessments
CSP
Economic data
Economic models
Economics
Electric energy
Electric potential
Electric power plants
Electricity
Electricity generation
Energy
Energy economics
Energy policy
Evolutionary
Exact sciences and technology
General, economic and professional studies
Modelling
Natural energy
New technology
Power generation
Power plants
Production capacity
Representations
Solar
Solar CSP Thermal storage
Solar energy
Solar power generation
Solar thermal conversion
Solar thermal power plants
Storage
Studies
Thermal energy
Thermal storage
Tradeoff analysis
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Summary:In this paper we explore the tradeoffs between thermal storage capacity, cost, and other system parameters in order to examine possible evolutionary pathways for thermal concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies. A representation of CSP performance that is suitable for incorporation into economic modeling tools is developed. We also combined existing data in order to estimate the global solar resource characteristics needed for analysis of CSP technologies. We find that, as the fraction of electricity supplied by CSP technologies grows, the application of thermal CSP technologies might progress from current hybrid plants, to plants with a modest amount of thermal storage, and potentially even to plants with sufficient thermal storage to provide base load generation capacity. The regional and global potential of thermal CSP technologies was then examined using the GCAM long-term integrated assessment model. ►Presents a formulation that allows Thermal CSP to be included in economic models. ►CSP technologies can supply a significant fraction of global electrity. ►Data for cloudy days and direct irradiance on operational days were developed.
ISSN:0301-4215
1873-6777
DOI:10.1016/j.enpol.2010.09.008