Simulation and Performance Analysis of a Solar-Integrated Steam Power Cycle

Paweł Madejski () and Isyna Izzal Muna
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Paweł Madejski: Department of Power Systems and Environmental Protection Facilities, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics, AGH University of Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Kraków, Poland
Isyna Izzal Muna: Department of Power Systems and Environmental Protection Facilities, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics, AGH University of Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Kraków, Poland

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 18, 1-17

Abstract: Fossil fuel-based power production faces challenges, particularly greenhouse gas emissions, that contribute to global warming. This paper explores retrofitting an existing 207.8 MW coal-fired steam power unit with a Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) tower system and Thermal Energy Storage (TES) systems to create a hybrid solar–coal power plant. The concept integrates a solar component and a two-tank TES system into the existing steam Rankine cycle. Thermodynamic modeling and balance calculations were performed using Ebsilon Professional software (version 16) to analyze the design. Three injection points for feedwater preheating were analyzed, with flow rates that varied from 10 to 100 kg/s. Thermodynamic simulations show that solar contributions of 16.0 MW (Variant 1), 27.6 MW (Variant 2), and 37.6 MW (Variant 3) increase net electricity output to 213.5 MW, 216.8 MW, and 219.3 MW, respectively. The corresponding thermal efficiencies rise from 42.6% to 43.8%, while the hybrid system’s total efficiency improves up to 29.6%. These results demonstrate that controlled feedwater diversion and solar integration can enhance performance, reduce coal dependency, and lower CO 2 emissions without compromising operational stability.

Keywords: thermal power plant; hybrid energy system; CSP plant; thermal energy storage; Rankine steam cycle (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: 2025
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