Investigating the Feasibility of Integrating Vegetation into Solar Chimney Power Plants in the Tamanrasset Region

Abstract

This work investigates integrating vegetation into solar chimney power plants (SCPPs) using numerical simulations of an SCPP prototype in Spain. A 2D axisymmetric computational fluid dynamics model with radiation heat transfer was employed to evaluate the impact of vegetation beneath the solar collector roof on system performance. Different SCPP configurations were analyzed: a standard design, one with a secondary collector roof, and another with secondary and tertiary collector roofs. Results indicate the secondary and tertiary roof configuration exhibited the highest annual electricity generation capacity of 34-80 kW. While introducing vegetation under the collector appears feasible, it is likely to reduce the overall energy output. In summary, simulations suggest that vegetation influences SCPP operation, decreasing power production, while incorporating multiple collector roofs enhances the generation capacity.