Thermoeconomic Optimization of a Microturbine Solar Power System

<p>The main purpose of the study is to build a model for thermoeconomic analysis of the system under investigation, which is a parabolic dish concentrator coupled with a microturbine. The aims of the analysis can be divided in two categories: the first objective is to create a thermodynamic model to define the matching between the components of the system, to calculate off-design performances and annual energy production; the second task is to determine the optimum size of the system that minimize specific cost and cost of energy (LCOE).</p> <p>The simulation is developed for the location of Seville, for four systems with similar size, in solar only and hybrid configurations with three different strategies of operation. In the economic simulation, cost functions for components, auxiliaries and indirect costs have been taken into account, under several scenarios.</p> <p>The simulated system ends up at solar-to-electric efficiency between 16,78% and 18,35% depending on the size, at design point. Annual performances report a capacity factor of about 27% (2300 working hours) in solar only operation and annual average efficiency only 6% below the nominal efficiency.</p> <p>Specific cost and LCOE varies a lot among scenario conditions, mainly influenced by the level of production of the components. Considering results for Seville, system specific cost varies between 2170 €/kW and 6590 €/kW, while LCOE is in the interval 16,8 €c/kWh – 44,5 €c/kWh. Extrapolating results valid for locations with more irradiation (California), costs move down to values as low as 1690 €/kW and 13,2 €c/kWh.