However, CSP plant can use large thermal energy storage (TES) units, which the capability to work at a full-rated capacity for hours-even after the absence of solar energy. Due to the variability of the solar resource energy, e.g., the PV cell cooperates with a battery storage units, has limited storage capacity and degrade over the time of usage. Another advantage for using CSP technology in the KSA is its ability of adding thermal energy storage (TES) subsystem to the plant. Therefore, this technology could be the best alternative renewable energy system for the country, which could boost the 2032 energy mix plan, reduces pollutions and meet the energy demands of the new projects such as Neom City in the northeast of KSA. In Saudi Arabia, the average yearly DNI varies between a maximum of 2400 kWh/m 2/day at the western inland sites of the kingdom to a minimum of 2000 kWh/m 2/day at the eastern regions of the kingdom. It is anticipated that the reported results could pave the path for more efficient solar thermal power plants.ĭirect normal irradiance (DNI) represents the portion of solar radiation reaching the Earth’s surface that has not been diffused or scattered by the atmosphere. In addition, the new design decreases the total estimated cost of tube material by approximately 43%. The thermal efficiency of the optimised receiver was increased by about 1% more than the reference plant. Furthermore, the aspect ratio is investigated and it was found that a higher aspect ratio gives a higher thermal efficiency. However, that increment in cost is negligible compared to the total energy gained.
Results show that a smaller tube diameter and thickness give higher receiver thermal efficiency but increase the annual cost of pumping energy. The effects of receiver tube diameters, tube thicknesses, tube thermal conductivity and receiver’s performance are studied in detail and compared to those used in a well know operational CSP plant. Subsequently, optimal designs for a 20 MWe solar power plant external receiver, combined with a 15 h thermal energy storage unit, operating under the weather conditions of Neom City, located in northeast Saudi Arabia, is proposed.
In this work, the energy status and supply plans of Saudi Arabia are discussed with a focus on concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies.
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