Comparative Assessment of an Innovative Dry-Cooled CSP System

Abstract

A comparative optimization assessment is carried out in order to identify the competitiveness of an innovative modular air-cooled condenser (MACC) system in relation to conventional water- or air-cooled condensers. Specifically, the technoeconomic performance of the combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) technology, the parabolic trough concentrated solar power (CSP) technology, and the solar tower CSP technology are compared when all are integrated (a) with a MACC condenser of an optimum tube geometry and size, (b) with a conventional water-cooled condenser, and (c) with a conventional dry-cooled condenser. The comparison is performed across three different solar potential levels. The simulations are carried out using an optimization model based on the IPP v2.1 algorithm for the calculation of the electricity unit cost and other financial indicators of each technology under investigation. The results demonstrate that, under certain parameters, the investigated MACC condenser system can become a cost-competitive alternative to water- or dry-cooled condensers in various solar potential environments.