Yawen Zhao

Proposal of a Solar-Coal Power Plant on Off-Design Operation

In a solar hybrid system, the intermittent solar radiation seriously effects the solar-to-electricity conversion. In this paper, the energy-level mechanism between the concentrated solar heat and the thermal cycle was discussed. The system analysis was taken on a 200 MW coal-fired power plant hybridized with solar heat at approximately 300 degrees C, where the middle-temperature solar thermal energy was used to preheat the feed water before entering the boiler. With changing solar radiation in typical days, the solar share, the work output and the net solar-to-electricity efficiency of this solar hybrid system were evaluated. The net solar-to-electricity efficiency would be increased by 3-7% points compared to that in a solar-only power plant. An off-design parallel configuration of this hybrid system was proposed, achieving the net annual solar-to-electricity efficiency of 18%. It would expected to be an attractive approach to develop the scale-up mid-temperature solar thermal power technology in the short and midterm.

Economic analysis of a typical solar–coal hybrid power plant

ABSTRACT Since the 1990s, solar energy has been hybridized with fossil power plants to improve reliability and efficiency. This study proposed an economical model for the solar–coal hybrid system. A conventional 200 MW coal-fired power plant was hybridized with solar heat at approximately 300°C and compared with a typical solar-only thermal power plant. The annual thermal performances of the proposed system were estimated and they were economically assessed using the economic model. The appropriate replacement configurations for the system can be determined for lower solar electricity cost. Therefore, this system may utilize solar energy on the utility scale cost-effectively.

Effectiveness analysis of solar replacement scenarios in a typical solar–coal hybrid system

ABSTRACT Since the 1990s, solar energy has been hybridized with fossil power plants to improve reliability and efficiency. Hence, this study proposed a methodology to thermodynamically model the solar–coal hybrid system. A conventional 200 MW coal-fired power plant was hybridized with solar heat at approximately 300°C and compared with the Solar Energy Generating Systems VI type. The annual thermal performances of the proposed system were assessed using the established thermodynamic methodology. The appropriate replacement configurations for the system can be determined to enhance solar-to-electricity efficiency. Therefore, this system may utilize solar energy on the utility scale effectively.