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2019
Conference Paper
Titel
Effect of the solar radiation of the Atacama desert in the design of a parabolic trough solar thermal power plant, using thermal oil in the solar field
Abstract
In Chile, energy demand is projected around 34%, to the year 2030 respect of the actual demand. Which implies an increase in CO2 emissions released into the atmosphere. Because of this, the Atacama desert presents itself as the main focus for the implementation of solar concentration technologies to satisfy the energetic solicitations of the country. For this reason, we focused to study, characterization and compare the surface of the solar field of three parabolic trough solar thermal power plants with nominal powers 30 MW, 50 MW and 100 MW with a solar multiple equal 1, in 16 locations of the Atacama desert. In addition, equipment was selected and established standard design conditions obtained the operational values of the most recognized plants in operation worldwide. For other hand, the solar resource of the Atacama desert was estimated using the Boland-Ridley-Lauret model (BRL), and as input data the global horizontal irradiation acquired of the solar explorer of the University of Chile, estimating the value of direct normal irradiation at the design point, the monthly and annual value for the 16 locations. In this way, the performance of two heat transfer fluids, such as, Therminol VP-1 and Syltherm 800 were analysed under the design conditions. As well as, the economic impact of these thermal oils in the solar field and LCOE were estimated. Similarly, full load operation hours, the annual electrical generation per location and its average per nominal power were estimated. As a consequence of this work, it is possible now to make a more accurate decision about the design of parabolic trough solar thermal power plants in the Atacama desert, proving to be an important contribution to make up for the lack practical/operational about this subject matter in Chile.