Comparison Between CSP Systems and Effect of Different Heat Transfer Fluids on the Performance

Abstract

While fossil fuel sources have declined and energy demand has increased, in addition to the climate change crisis, the world turned to using renewable energies to get its energy. Concentrated solar power (CSP) is one of the main technologies used for this purpose. This study aims to compare the different concentrated solar power technologies in terms of their efficiency, cost, concentration ratio, and receiver temperature. Results showed that technologies were arranged according to temperatures from high to low as follows; the parabolic dish reflector, central receiver collector, linear Fresnel reflector, and parabolic trough collector. According to cost, the parabolic dish reflector has the highest price, while the linear Fresnel reflector has the lowest price. Also, the parabolic dish reflector has the highest efficiency among the others, followed by the central receiver collector, then the linear Fresnel reflector, and the parabolic trough collector respectively. Additionally; the study represented that point-focus devices have a high percentage of concentration ratio than line-focus devices. Finally, in order to exploit these sources throughout the day, it is recommended to use phase change materials to store the excess thermal energy as a positive and effective approach to solving the energy problems.