Is Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) a feasible option for Sub-Saharan Africa?: Investigating the techno-economic feasibility of CSP in Tanzania

Aly, Ahmed; Bernardos, Ana M.; Fernández-Peruchena, Carlos M.; Jensen, Steen Solvang; Pedersen, Anders Branth

doi:10.1016/j.renene.2018.09.065

Cited by 75 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Even if criticized by some authors, the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) is a commonly used metric to assess the economic feasibility of an electricity production project [ 44 ]. It corresponds to the present value of the project costs (in $) per unit of electricity generated (in kWh) over the plant lifecycle [ 45 , 46 ] (Eq. (3) ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Techno-economic assessment of solar energy coupling with large-scale desalination plant: The case of Morocco

Kettani

Bandelier

2020

Desalination

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This paper examines the cost competitiveness of an extra-large-scale (275,000 m 3 /d) solar-powered desalination, taking as a case study the Chtouka Ait Baha plant in Morocco. It assesses the conditions at which solar Photovoltaics (PV) and Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) would be competitive with a grid (mainly fossil) driven desalination plant for the reference year and by 2030. The paper considers also a scenario where battery storage complements PV power generation. To conduct the analysis, a simple model of water cost calculation is built. Second, the cost related to energy consumption is calculated for different power supply options to evaluate the impact of energy provision cost on the final cost of water. The first main result of this paper is that desalinated water can be obtained at an acceptable cost of around 1 $/m 3 . The second one is that PV without storage remains the cheapest power supply option today and by 2030. Storage based solution appears less competitive today but can be more attractive in a framework of increasing electricity grid prices and higher flexibility requirements in the future. The paper gives recommendations regarding the implication of different technology choices in the framework of the future Moroccan energy system.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Techno-economic assessment of solar energy coupling with large-scale desalination plant: The case of Morocco

Kettani

Bandelier

2020

Desalination

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“…The real LCOE takes inflation rate into account, it removes the inflation effect associated with cost of fuel, O& M among others. It is a very important metric for assessing the economic viability of a project [23].…”

Section: Case Study 1 -Solar Energy Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainable energy: Is it nuclear or solar for African Countries? Case study on Ghana

Agyekum

Velkin

Hossain

2020

Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments

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Increasing cost of generating energy through conventional sources coupled with environmental pollution concerns has led to the need to find more sustainable, clean and cheaper sources of energy generation. This paper evaluates two forms of energy: nuclear and solar energy for developing countries with a case study on Ghana. The research found out that Ghana like other several other developing countries have the opportunity to reduce their cost of electricity significantly should any of the under studied technologies be deployed. Obtained LCOE for the 20 MW modelled Solar power plant (SPP) in Navrongo ranges between 5.74 and 9.41 ¢/kWh for real discount and annual interest rates ranging between 1 and 25%. LCOEs of 125.53-125.55 $/MWh for discount rates between 3% and 15%, respectively were obtained for the 1200 MW nuclear power plant (NPP) expected to be constructed in Ghana. The research concluded with a suggestion that since the NPP project is capital intensive, development of SPP should be given the needed attention in the short to medium term to help build a resilient economy upon which NPP can be considered in the long term. Some financing models were also suggested for the construction of such capital-intensive projects.

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“…1and Eq. 2, respectively [14]. Three different tracking modes were employed in this paper, it includes, fixed, single-axis and double axis trackers as indicated in Fig.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Solar Tracking on the Economic Viability of a Large-Scale PV Power Plant

Agyekum

Afornu

Ansah

2020

Environmental and Climate Technologies

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This paper evaluated the economic potential of three different photovoltaic energy technologies at a selected site, Wa, in the Upper West region of Ghana. The cost of energy and net present value metrics were used to ascertain the cost-effectiveness of these technologies (fixed, single and double axis tracker systems). From the analysis, all three technologies are economically viable at the selected site, however, a sensitivity analysis shows that the fixed axis tracker is unviable at a discount rate above 2 % whiles that of the single and double axis power plants also become impracticable at a discount rate above 6 % using the financial input parameters adopted for the study. This is an indication that, even though the selected site may have the required solar radiation for the development of large-scale PV power plant, there is the need to create the necessary conducive financial environment to enable such projects to become viable. The double axis tracking system was identified as the optimum system that should be deployed at the selected site to get the best in terms of affordability of electricity to consumers and equity payback.

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Is Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) a feasible option for Sub-Saharan Africa?: Investigating the techno-economic feasibility of CSP in Tanzania

Cited by 75 publications

References 30 publications

Techno-economic assessment of solar energy coupling with large-scale desalination plant: The case of Morocco

Techno-economic assessment of solar energy coupling with large-scale desalination plant: The case of Morocco

Sustainable energy: Is it nuclear or solar for African Countries? Case study on Ghana

Effect of Solar Tracking on the Economic Viability of a Large-Scale PV Power Plant

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