Effect of the Solar Radiation of the Atacama Desert in the Design of a Parabolic Trough Solar Thermal Power Plant, Using Thermal Oil in the Solar Field
Abstract
Summary The Atacama Desert presents itself as the main focus for the implementation of solar concentration technologies to satisfy the energetic solicitations of Chile. It was studied, characterized and compared the surface of the solar field of three parabolic trough solar thermal power plants with nominal powers 30MW, 50 MW and 100 MW with a solar multiple equal 1, in 16 locations. For other part, it was modelled the solar resource using the Boland-Ridley-Lauret model (BRL), estimating the value of Direct Normal Irradiation (DNI) at the design point, the monthly and annual value to the 16 locations. The same way, it was estimated the full load operation hours (FLH), furthermore the annual electrical generation per location and its average per nominal power. It was concluded that there is a percentage saving of the area of opening of the solar field around 20% and 25% respect to a typical configuration of 4 SCA/loop usually used in plants located in U.S.A. and Europe.