Small hybrid solar power system

M. Kane, D. Larrain, D. Favrat and Y. Allani

Energy, 2003, vol. 28, issue 14, 1427-1443

Abstract: This paper introduces a novel concept of mini-hybrid solar power plant integrating a field of solar concentrators, two superposed Organic Rankine Cycles (ORC) and a (bio-)Diesel engine. The Organic Rankine Cycles include hermetic scroll expander-generators11The word expander is often used to characterize units recovering the expansion energy of a gas, in particular when based on a volumetric machine. The word turbine or expander will be used indifferently in this paper. and the sun tracking solar collectors are composed of rows of flat mirror bands (CEP) arranged in a plane, that focus the solar energy onto a collector tube similar to those used in SEGS plants in California. Waste heat from both the exhaust gases and the block cooling of the thermal engine are also heat sources for the ORCs. Such units meet electricity, cooling and pumping needs of remote settlements. The thermal engine guarantees a minimum level of both power and heat availability at night or during cloudy periods. Laboratory tests, made with the superposed ORCs only, confirmed adequate operational characteristics with good performances over a broad range of conditions. A few preliminary tests on the site of the solar power plant when coupled with the engine confirmed a reasonable behavior and the interest of the concept even at part load or during sharp variations of the thermal supply.

Date: 2003
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (48)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:28:y:2003:i:14:p:1427-1443

DOI: 10.1016/S0360-5442(03)00127-0

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