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This study presents a performance analysis of a Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) plant coupled to a Multi-Effect Distillation (MED) unit with an Air-Cooled Condenser (ACC) as the MED last condenser (configuration named as MED- ACC) to evaluate the advantage of this integration in comparison to the typical once-through condenser (configuration named as MED-OTC). The analysis has been performed for Crucero, Chile, which is located 100 km far from the coast and 1000 m above sea level. Thus, a seawater pumping system and energy recovery of the brine disposal are considered. The design of the MED-ACC plant has been carried out in terms of the ACC temperature limitations, and the simulation of both configurations has been performed on an hourly basis. Results obtained in the design show that configuration MED- ACC requires a lower number of effects than the MED-OTC configuration, which reduces the capacity and efficiency of the MED plant. A significant advantage of the former configuration is the reduction in the MED electric consumption with respect that of the latter configuration. Regarding annual performance results, it was found that the net electric output of the MED-ACC plant was 14% higher than the MED-OTC plant due to the seawater pumping consumption reduction, while the water production was 43% lower, despite the water capacity factor of both configurations remained similar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An exergy cost assessment of solar trigeneration plant to generate electricity, fresh-water, and heat is carried out in order to study the process of exergy cost formation, to determine the key components that contribute to the cost of each product, and to establish the best configuration in term of unit exergy cost. The solar trigeneration plants evaluated consist of a concentrated solar power (CSP), a multi-effect distillation plant, and a process heat module, in which the CSP plant is the prime mover. The methodology includes modeling and evaluating the performance of standalone and trigeneration plants using the symbolic exergoeconomic methodology. Results show that the best configuration, in terms of exergy cost, is when the multi-effect distillation plant replaces the power cycle condenser. Regarding the costs formation, the key components which could be improved in their design are: solar collectors, evaporator, re-heater, dissipative systems, and productive subsystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper presents a very simple energy yield model fitted using the annual DNI and the latitude as main inputs, considering a solar tower CSP plant, with 100 MW of net energy output and 6 hours of thermal storage. Furthermore, a mask of suitable areas for CSP power tower installations in Chile is also shown. The mapping of solar radiation components has been calculated from multi-regressive models based on ground based measurements, existing maps of solar resources and atmospheric parameters. An analysis of the available data bases in Chile is also done in order to obtain useful information for the development of the work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The highest levels of solar irradiation in the world can be found in northern Chile, with average yearly totals of DNI between 2800 kWh/m² and 3800 kWh/m². In the present study, the techno-economic analysis of a hybrid CSP+PV plant integrated with TES and a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at utility scale was conducted. The plant model was simulated at Crucero, Chile using TRNSYS. The dispatch strategy is to deliver a net output of 100MWe to the grid. A parametric analysis varying PV size, solar multiple, TES hours of storage and BESS capacity was carried out. Results show that the hybrid plant can achieve capacity factors over 90% and the BESS allows to exploit the surplus of PV energy. However, the contribution of the BESS to the total generation is only significant for PV sizes above 100MW and for TES capacities lower than 10h. The minimum LCOE obtained with the parametric analysis was 98.46 USD/MWh with a capacity factor of 85% and a configuration with 100MW PV plant, a solar multiple of 2, 12h of TES, but without batteries. Yet, a solutions domain with capacity factors above 90% and LCOE values between 110 and 130 USD/MWh with BESS capacities from 250 to 500 MWh was found. These results show that it is still necessary a higher reduction cost of the batteries to increase the economic feasibility of this concept besides its technical potential, however, the BESS addition allows to provide higher capacity factors and achieving less dumped PV energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Northern Chile presents the highest levels of solar radiation worldwide1. In addition, Chile is located in the so called "pacific belt of fire", region with high geothermal potential2. In that context, the conditions in the northern region presents high potential for exploiting both sources in hybrid schemes. Several researchers have assessed the benefits that solar-geothermal hybrid schemes offer in terms of system's performance. Nevertheless, due to the intrinsic variability of the solar resource a deep analysis is still needed, aiming to address the synergies of integrating both sources. This work presents a transient computational model using the software TRNSYS, considering the meteorological conditions of Apacheta, Antofagasta region. That simulation, allows to assess the annual performance of a single flash power plant, assisted by parabolic trough collectors, where the heat delivered by the solar collectors is employed for superheating the steam. Aiming to quantify the benefits of the hybridization, the methodology considers a thermoeconomic approach. The results evidence that the integration of both sources offers several synergies, that allows increasing the power generation during peak hours and reducing generation costs. Therefore, the hybrid scheme constitutes an alternative for delivering baseload electricity generation at competitive costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chile has excellent conditions by having one of the best solar potential worldwide due to the aridness and the high sky clearness index for the energy generation. This potential can be a solution for mining industry which has heavily energy consumer activities in the north of the country and currently both thermal and electricity energy is provided from fossil fuels for these activities. Thermal solar power technologies such as parabolic trough and solar tower are good alternatives to meet the thermal and electricity demand of mining industry. This study focuses on solar incentives as support mechanism with lowest government cost and maximum reduction of levelized cost of electricity. With the research; sensitivity and effectiveness analysis of financial parameters and incentives have been performed. Key findings of this assessment show that for evaluated intervals of financial parameter; debt fraction and discount rate illustrate meaningful sensitivities on both LCOE and government cost. In contrary, debt interest rate shows less sensitivity on government cost while having significant sensitivity on LCOE for both CSP technologies. Also investment tax credit (ITC), production tax credit (PTC), and production base incentive (PBI) have the best effectiveness for all financial conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]