Concentrating solar power (CSP) is a high-potential renewable energy source that can leverage various thermal applications. CSP plant development has therefore become a global trend. However, the designing of a CSP plant for a given solar resource condition and financial situation is still a work in progress. This study aims to develop a mathematical model to analyze the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of Thermal Energy Storage (TES)-integrated CSP plants in such circumstances. The developed model presents an LCOE variation for 18 different CSP configurations with TES incorporated for Rankine, Brayton, and combined power generation cycles, under regular TES materials and nano-enhanced TES materials. The model then recommends the most economical CSP plant arrangement. Within the scope of this study, it was found that the best configuration for electricity generation is a solar power tower with nano-enhanced phase change materials as the latent heat thermal energy storage medium that runs on the combined cycle. This returns an LCOE of 7.63 ct/kWh with a 22.70% CSP plant efficiency. The most favorable option in 50 MW plants is the combined cycle with a regular TES medium, which has an LCOE of 7.72 ct/kWh with a 22.14% CSP plant efficiency.
Solar energy is the most abundant energy source in the world. It can play a vital role in meeting our energy needs. Sri Lanka being a country that is located near the equator has a Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) of 1,247 kWh/m 2 to 2106 kWh/m 2 creates an excellent photovoltaic power potential. Implementation of rooftop solar PV installation projects can contribute towards reducing the carbon footprint. CO2 (e) emission savings could be traded according to the Kyoto GHG protocol bringing financial benefits to the country. This paper presents a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) for Sri Lanka through a rooftop solar PV installation project in the Western Province. The results show that 68.83 km² of an effective area for 14.92 GW of installed capacity generating 26.15 TWh annually. This could result in reducing around 20.4 MtCO2e of carbon dioxide emissions, earning US$ 78 million of foreign currency per annum.
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