Thermo-Economic Evaluation of Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic Hybridization Options for Combined-Cycle Power Plants

Abstract

The hybridization of combined-cycle power plants with solar energy is an attractive means of reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from gas-based power generation. However, the construction of the first generation of commercial hybrid power plants will present the designer with a large number of choices. To assist decision making, a thermo-economic study has been performed for three different hybrid power plant configurations, including both solar thermal and photovoltaic hybridization options. Solar photovoltaic combined-cycle (SPVCC) power plants were shown to be able to integrate up to 63% solar energy on an annual basis, whereas hybrid gas turbine combined-cycle (HGTCC) systems provide the lowest cost of solar electricity, with costs only 2.1% higher than a reference, unmodified combined-cycle power plant. The integrated solar combined-cycle (ISCC) configuration has been shown to be economically unattractive.