Potential Map for the Installation of Concentrated Solar Power Towers in Chile

Catalina Hernández, Rodrigo Barraza, Alejandro Saez, Mercedes Ibarra and Danilo Estay
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Catalina Hernández: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Av. Vicuña Mackenna 3939, Santiago 8320000, Chile
Rodrigo Barraza: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Av. Vicuña Mackenna 3939, Santiago 8320000, Chile
Alejandro Saez: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Av. Vicuña Mackenna 3939, Santiago 8320000, Chile
Mercedes Ibarra: Fraunhofer Chile Research Foundation, General del Canto 421, of. 402, Providencia Santiago 7500588, Chile
Danilo Estay: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Av. Vicuña Mackenna 3939, Santiago 8320000, Chile

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 9, 1-15

Abstract: This study aims to build a potential map for the installation of a central receiver concentrated solar power plant in Chile under the terms of the average net present cost of electricity generation during its lifetime. This is also called the levelized cost of electricity, which is a function of electricity production, capital costs, operational costs and financial parameters. The electricity production, capital and operational costs were defined as a function of the location through the Chilean territory. Solar resources and atmospheric conditions for each site were determined. A 130 MWe concentrated solar power plant was modeled to estimate annual electricity production for each site. The capital and operational costs were identified as a function of location. The electricity supplied by the power plant was tested, quantifying the potential of the solar resources, as well as technical and economic variables. The results reveal areas with great potential for the development of large-scale central receiver concentrated solar power plants, therefore accomplishing a low levelized cost of energy. The best zone is located among the Arica and Parinacota region and the northern part of the Coquimbo region, which shows an average cost of 89 USD/MWh, with a minimum of 76 USD/MWh near Copiapó.

Keywords: concentrated solar power; levelized cost of energy; central receiver; solar energy; solar potential (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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