Using concentrating-solar-power plants as economic carbon-free capacity resources

Energy Conversion and Management: X

Paul Denholm¹  Ramteen Sioshansi²  Kenjiro Yagi² 

[1] Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The Ohio State University, 2015 Neil Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210-1272, United States;Department of Integrated Systems Engineering, The Ohio State University, 1971 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210-1271, United States;

关键词: Concentrating solar power;    Thermal energy storage;    Peaking generation;    Capacity value;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Deep decarbonization of electricity systems raises concerns about the need for generating capacity that can maintain reliable energy supply. Given this concern, we explore the ability of concentrating-solar-power plants with thermal energy storage to provide a carbon-free source of such capacity. We develop an approach to assessing the capacity contribution of concentrating-solar-power plants that considers future systems. Such considerations are important, because of potential differences in net-load patterns compared to today (e.g., due to higher renewable-energy penetrations). Using historical data spanning an 18-year period, we demonstrate that concentrating-solar-power plants with thermal energy storage can provide this necessary capacity with little impact on their financial viability. We examine the impact of myopic decisions and imperfect foresight of future system conditions on the operation of concentrating-solar-power plants and the resultant impact on their capacity contributions. We find that imperfect foresight can have limited impacts on such a use of concentrating-solar-power plants, so long as proper forecasting techniques are developed and used. Overall, our work shows that concentrating-solar-power plants with thermal energy storage may have a role to play in delivering reliable electricity supply in a decarbonized energy system.

【 授权许可】

Unknown