Search Results (290)

This study presents a techno-economic framework for assessing the potential of utilizing hybrid renewable energy sources (wind and solar) to produce green hydrogen, with a specific focus on Australia. The model’s objective is to equip decision-makers in the green hydrogen industry with a reliable methodology to assess the availability of renewable resources for cost-effective hydrogen production. To enhance the credibility of the analysis, the model integrates 10 min on-ground solar and wind data, uses a high-resolution power dispatch simulation, and considers electrolyzer operational thresholds. This study concentrates on five locations in Australia and employs high-frequency resource data to quantify wind and solar availability. A precise simulation of power dispatch for a large off-grid plant has been developed to analyze the PV/wind ratio, element capacities, and cost variables. The results indicate that the locations where wind turbines can produce cost-effective hydrogen are limited due to the high capital investment, which renders wind farms uneconomical for hydrogen production. Our findings show that only one location—Edithburgh, South Australia—under a 50% solar–50% wind scenario, achieves a hydrogen production cost of 10.3 ¢USD/Nm³, which is lower than the 100% solar scenario. In the other four locations, the 100% solar scenario proves to be the most cost-effective for green hydrogen production. This study suggests that precise and comprehensive resource assessment is crucial for developing hydrogen production plants that generate low-cost green hydrogen. Full article

Among the concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies, the parabolic trough (PT) solar collector is a proven technology mainly used to produce electricity and heat for industrial processes. Since 2003, a stand-alone Molten Salt Parabolic Trough (MSPT) experimental plant, located in the ENEA research centre of Casaccia (PCS plant), has been in operation. In this paper a brief description of the plant, the main plant operation figures, and a report of the main results obtained during the experimental test campaigns are presented. The aim of the tests was the evaluation of the thermal power collected as a function of DNI, mass flow rate, and inlet temperature of molten salt; experimental data were compared with simulation results obtained using a heat transfer software model of the solar receiver. Full article

Spain’s energy transition poses the dual challenge of managing renewable curtailment and enhancing the competitiveness of concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies. This study evaluates the suitability of replacing molten salts with solid particles for energy storage and, additionally, explores the storage of surplus electricity from grid in Carnot batteries. Four scenarios were analyzed using a Gemasolar-type plant model: each storage medium was studied with and without the integration of curtailed electricity. The solar field was modeled with SAM (System Advisor Model), while curtailment data from Red Eléctrica de España (2016–2021) quantified the available surplus. Results show that solid particles lead to 7.4% higher annual electricity production compared to molten salts, mainly due to improved power cycle efficiency. The integration of curtailment increased output further, with the solid particle Carnot battery scenario achieving the highest performance (up to 19.0% sun-to-electricity efficiency and 69.7% capacity factor). However, round-trip efficiency for curtailment storage was limited (~25–27%), and although solid particles showed lower LCOE (levelized cost of energy) than salts (192 vs. 211 USD/MWh), the Carnot battery increased costs. These findings suggest that while solid particles offer clear advantages, the economic viability of Carnot batteries remains constrained by current cost and operational limitations. Full article

Relative to other renewable energy technologies, concentrated solar power (CSP) is only in the beginning phases of large-scale deployment. Its incorporation into national grids is steadily growing, with anticipation of its substantial contribution to the energy mix. A number of emerging economies are situated in areas that receive abundant amounts of direct normal irradiance (DNI), which translates into expectations of significant effectiveness for CSP. However, any assessment related to the planning of CSP facilities is challenging because of the complexity of the associated criteria and the number of stakeholders. Additional complications are the differing concepts and configurations for CSP plants available, a dearth of related experience, and inadequate amounts of data in some developing countries. The goal of the work presented in this paper was to evaluate the practical CSP implementation options for such parts of the world. Ambiguity and imprecision issues were addressed through the application of multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) in a fuzzy environment. Six technology combinations, involving dry cooling and varied installed capacity levels, were examined: three parabolic trough collectors with and without thermal storage, two solar towers with differing storage levels, and a linear Fresnel with direct steam generation. The in-depth performance analysis was based on 4 main criteria and 29 sub-criteria. Quantitative and qualitative data, plus input from 44 stakeholders, were incorporated into the proposed fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP) model. In addition to demonstrating the advantages and drawbacks of each scenario relative to the local energy sector requirements, the model’s results also provide accurate recommendation guidelines for integrating CSP technology into national grids while respecting stakeholders’ priorities. Full article

The two-tank molten salt thermal storage system is the most common storage solution in concentrated solar power (CSP) plants. Solar salt (60% NaNO₃ + 40% KNO₃) is the most widely used energy storage material in solar thermal plants. In solar tower technology, where the molten salts must operate at temperatures ranging from 290 °C to 565 °C, several issues related to tank failures have emerged in recent years, with some of these failures attributed to the welding process. The welding process of joints in 316L stainless steel (ASS) probes exposed to a moving flow of a binary mixture containing 60% NaNO₃ and 40% KNO₃ (solar salt) is analysed. The results were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at 120, 500, 1000, 1500, and 2300 h of exposure. It was identified that arc mechanical oscillations significantly improve the microstructural properties and geometrical characteristics of welded joints, reducing structural defects and improving corrosion resistance. The technique promotes uniform thermal distribution, refined dendrite morphology, and homogeneous alloying element distribution, resulting in lower mass loss in high-temperature molten salt environments. Additionally, oscillation welding optimises the bead geometry, with reduced wetting angles and controlled penetration, making it ideal for high-precision industrial applications and extreme environments, such as molten salt thermal storage systems. Full article

The energy transition can only be achieved if the global energy sector is transformed from a fossil-based system to a zero-carbon-based source system. To achieve this aim, two technologies have shown promising advances in high-temperature application. Concentrating solar power (CSP) plants are seen as a key technology to achieve the needed energy transition, and carbon dioxide (CO₂) capture and storage (CCS) is a promising technology for decarbonizing the industrial sector. To implement both technologies, molten carbonate salts are considered promising material. However, their corrosive behavior needs to be evaluated, especially at high temperatures, where corrosion is more aggressive in metal structures. This paper presents an experimental evaluation of the static corrosion of two molten carbonate salts, a Li₂CO₃-Na₂CO₃-K₂CO₃-LiOH∙H₂O (56.65-12.19-26.66-4.51wt.%) mixture and a Li₂CO₃ salt, under an air atmosphere with five corrosion-resistant metal alloys, including Alloy 600, Alloy 601, Alloy 625, Alloy 214, and Alloy X1. In this study, the corrosion rate and mass losses were quantified. In addition, in all the cases, the results of the experimental evaluation showed corrosion rate values between 0.0009 mg/cm²·yr and 0.0089 mg/cm²·yr. Full article

Solar thermal energy is one of the most interesting sustainable solutions for decarbonizing the energy sector. Integrating solar collectors with other energy sources is common, as seen in domestic heating, where solar collectors are combined with common heaters to reduce fuel consumption (gasoline, electricity, gas, and biomass) and therefore, the energy cost. Similarly, this concept can be applied to nuclear energy, where the reduction in nuclear fuel consumption is very strategic for decreasing not only its cost but also the risk in handling, transportation, and storage (both the fuel and the nuclear waste as well). Nuclear energy, on the other hand, seems to be very useful in reducing the land occupation of concentrated solar power plants (CSPs) and helping a more constant production of electricity, both points being two important bottlenecks of CSP technologies. CSP and nuclear reactors, on the other hand, share common heating technologies and both can produce energy without CO₂ emissions. Solar and nuclear energy, especially with the advent of the fourth generation of small modular reactors (SMRs), present a compelling opportunity for sustainable electricity generation. In this work, we present a brief review of CSP technology, a brief review of SMR concepts and development, and a brief overview of the combination of these two technologies. The review shows that in general, combined SMR + CSP technologies offer several advantages in terms of a strong reduction in the solar field extension areas, improved dispatchability of energy, improved efficiency of the SMRs, and, in particular, lower nuclear fuel consumption (hence, e.g., with a lowered refueling frequency). Full article

Predicting the solar flux density distribution formed by heliostats in a concentrated solar tower power (CSP) plant is important for the optimization and stable operation of a CSP plant. However, the high temperature and blackbody attribute of the receiver makes direct measurement of the concentrated solar irradiance distribution a difficult task. To address this issue, indirect methods have been proposed. Nevertheless, these methods are either costly or not accurate enough. This study proposes a ray tracing-assisted deep learning method for the prediction of the concentrated solar flux density distribution formed by a heliostat. Namely, a generative adversarial neural network (GAN) model using Monte Carlo ray tracing results as the input was built for the prediction of solar flux density distribution concentrated by a heliostat. Experiments showed that the predicted solar flux density distributions were highly consistent with the concentrated solar spots on the Lambertian target formed by the same heliostat. This ray tracing-assisted deep learning method can be extended to other heliostats in the CSP plant and pave the way for the prediction of the solar flux density distribution concentrated by the whole heliostat field in a CSP plant. Full article

Sol-gel coatings are commonly used to prevent corrosion from molten salt mixtures in CSP plants. Until now, they have been driven primarily by cost considerations, without integrating environmental criteria into the modeling and decision-making process. The novelty of this study lies in the development of an evaluation framework that incorporates environmental impact alongside technical and economic factors, providing a more sustainable approach. This work assesses porosity, thermal shock resistance, and thickness to determine the optimal sol-gel coating. For this purpose, the multi-criteria decision-making technique “Analytic Hierarchy Process” (AHP) and the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology are implemented. The results show that the scores obtained for the 3YSZ-5A (5% mol) coating are higher than those of the 3YSZ (3% mol) and 3YSZ-20A (20% mol) coatings, between 1.52 and 1.69, respectively. The 3YSZ-5A coating (5% mol) is the optimal solution among all the systems analyzed, with a score of 0.61 AHP pt. The coating of the same type and higher molar concentration (20%) achieved 0.55 AHP pt. Finally, the 3YSZ type coating received the lowest rating, with a score of 0.36 AHP pt. The insights generated in this research will support decision-making in the design and maintenance of CSP plants. Full article

Solar thermal concentrating solar power (CSP) plants have attracted growing interest in the field of renewable energy generation due to their capability for large-scale electricity generation, high photoelectric conversion efficiency, and enhanced reliability and flexibility. Meanwhile, driven by the rapid advancement of power electronics technology, extensive wind farms (WFs) and large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESSs) are being increasingly integrated into the power grid. From these points of view, grid-connected CSP–BESS–wind hybrid energy systems are expected to emerge in the future. Currently, most studies focus solely on the stability of renewable energy generation systems connected to the grid via power converters. In fact, within CSP–BESS–wind hybrid energy systems, interactions between the CSP, collection grid, and the converter controllers can also arise, potentially triggering system oscillations. To fill this gap, this paper investigated the interaction mechanism and oscillation characteristics of a grid-connected CSP–BESS–wind hybrid energy system. Firstly, by considering the dynamics of CSP, BESSs, and wind turbines, a comprehensive model of a grid-connected CSP–BESS–wind hybrid energy system was developed. With this model, the Nyquist stability criterion was utilized to analyze the potential interaction mechanism within the hybrid system. Subsequently, the oscillation characteristics were examined in detail, providing insights to inform the design of the damping controller. Finally, the analytical results were validated through MATLAB/Simulink simulations. Full article

With the fast-growing implementation of renewable energy projects, Morocco is positioned as a pioneer in green and sustainable development, aiming to achieve 52% of its electricity production from renewable sources by 2030. This ambitious target faces challenges due to the intermittent nature of renewable energy, which impacts grid stability. Hydrogen offers a promising solution, but identifying the most cost-effective production configurations is critical due to high investment costs. Despite the growing interest in renewable energy systems, the techno-economic analysis of (Concentrating Solar Power-Photovoltaic) CSP-PV hybrid configurations remain insufficiently explored. Addressing this gap is critical for optimizing hybrid systems to ensure cost-effective and scalable hydrogen production. This study advances the field by conducting a detailed techno-economic assessment of CSP-PV hybrid systems for hydrogen production at selected locations in Morocco, leveraging high-precision meteorological data to enhance the accuracy and reliability of the analysis. Three configurations are analyzed: (i) a standalone 10 MW PV plant, (ii) a standalone 10 MW Stirling dish CSP plant, and (iii) a 10 MW hybrid system combining 5 MW from each technology. Results reveal that hybrid CSP-PV systems with single-axis PV tracking achieve the lowest levelized cost of hydrogen (LCO_H2), reducing costs by up to 11.19% and increasing hydrogen output by approximately 10% compared to non-tracking systems. Additionally, the hybrid configuration boosts annual hydrogen production by 2.5–11.2% compared to PV-only setups and reduces production costs by ~25% compared to standalone CSP systems. These findings demonstrate the potential of hybrid solar systems for cost-efficient hydrogen production in regions with abundant solar resources. Full article

In the context of the global energy structure transformation, concentrated solar power (CSP) technology has gained significant attention. Its future trajectory is oriented towards the construction of ultra-high temperature (700–1000 °C) power plants, aiming to enhance thermoelectric conversion efficiency and economic competitiveness. Chloride molten salts, serving as a crucial heat transfer and storage medium in the third-generation CSP system, offer numerous advantages. However, they are highly corrosive to metal materials. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the corrosion behaviors of stainless steels and high-temperature alloys in molten salts. It analyzes the impacts of factors such as temperature and oxygen, and it summarizes various corrosion types, including intergranular corrosion and hot corrosion, along with their underlying mechanisms. Simultaneously, it presents an overview of the types, characteristics, impurity effects, and purification methods of molten salts used for high-temperature heat storage and heat transfer. Moreover, it explores novel technologies such as alternative molten salts, solid particles, gases, liquid metals, and the carbon dioxide Brayton cycle, as well as research directions for improving material performance, like the application of nanoparticles and surface coatings. At present, the corrosion of metal materials in high-temperature molten salts poses a significant bottleneck in the development of CSP. Future research should prioritize the development of commercial alloy materials resistant to chloride molten salt corrosion and conduct in-depth investigations into related influencing factors. This will provide essential support for the advancement of CSP technology. Full article

Thermal energy storage (TES) systems are essential components of concentrating solar power (CSP) plants that enable uniform generation of green electricity and process heat. The performance of sensible heat TES systems based on granular material and on solid blocks was experimentally analyzed during the discharge process. A granular material TES system was studied in its operation as a regular fluidized bed and as a confined bed that restricted the motion of the granular material via mechanical confinement. The pressure drop required to circulate the heat transfer fluid (HTF) through the TES system made of alumina blocks was measured to be two orders of magnitude lower than that used in the granular material TES system, being uniform and close to 0.2 bar for operation of the fluidized bed and decreasing from 0.65 to 0.3 bar for the confined bed. The evolution of the exergy efficiency of the TES systems along the discharge process was determined by obtaining an inversed exponential reduction for the fluidized bed TES system, a parabolic reduction for the alumina block TES system, and a roughly uniform value for the confined bed TES system. The exergy efficiency of the confined bed TES system, considering the HTF pressure drop as a parasitic consumption of the plant, remained higher than 90% during the complete discharge process. Full article

In this review, the transformative impact of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and wireless communication technologies into the heliostat control systems of concentrated solar power (CSP) plants are explored. Heliostat control systems are categorized based on wired and wireless implementations, and calibration methods are analyzed from traditional methods, auxiliary equipment, and AI in detail. The applications of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning techniques enhance the accuracy, control ability, and prediction performance of CSP heliostat control systems. At the same time, wireless communications play an important role in reducing costs, enhancing scalability, and enabling more flexible deployment. The synergistic impact of AI and wireless technologies improves the efficiency, reliability, and economic viability of heliostat systems, and shows great potential in global energy transition. Full article

A national energy crisis has emerged in South Africa due to the country’s increasing energy needs in recent years. The reliance on fossil fuels, especially oil and gas, is unsustainable due to scarcity, emissions, and environmental repercussions. Researchers from all over the world have recently concentrated their efforts on finding carbon-free, renewable, and alternative energy sources and have investigated microbiology and biotechnology as a potential remedy. The usage of microbial electrolytic cells (MECs) and microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is one method for resolving the problem. These technologies are evolving as viable options for hydrogen and bioenergy production. The renewable energy technologies initiative in South Africa, which is regarded as a model for other African countries, has developed in the allocation of over 6000 MW of generation capacity to bidders across several technologies, primarily wind and solar. With a total investment value of R33.7 billion, the Eastern Cape’s renewable energy initiatives have created 18,132 jobs, with the province awarded 16 wind farms and one solar energy farm. Utilizing wastewater as a source of energy in MFCs has been recommended as most treatments, such as activated sludge processes and trickling filter plants, require roughly 1322 kWh per million gallons, whereas MFCs only require a small amount of external power to operate. The cost of wastewater treatment using MFCs for an influent flow of 318 m³ h⁻¹ has been estimated to be only 9% (USD 6.4 million) of the total cost of treatment by a conventional wastewater treatment plant (USD 68.2 million). Currently, approximately 500 billion cubic meters of hydrogen (H₂) are generated worldwide each year, exhibiting a growth rate of 10%. This production primarily comes from natural gas (40%), heavy oils and naphtha (30%), coal (18%), electrolysis (4%), and biomass (1%). The hydrogen produced is utilized in the manufacturing of ammonia (49%), the refining of petroleum (37%), the production of methanol (8%), and in a variety of smaller applications (6%). Considering South Africa’s energy issue, this review article examines the production of wastewater and its impacts on society as a critical issue in the global scenario and as a source of green energy. Full article