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Progress in Concentrated Solar Power, Photovoltaics, and Integrated Power Plants Towards Expanding the Introduction of Renewable Energy in the Asia/Pacific Region

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

As the renewable energy share grows towards CO2 emission reduction by 2050 and decarbonized society, it is crucial to evaluate and analyze the technical and economic feasibility of solar energy. Because concentrating solar power (CSP) and solar photovoltaics (PV)-integrated CSP (CSP-PV) capacity is rapidly increasing in the Asia/Pacific region, this paper provides a review of the development status of commercial-scale CSP and integrated plants and research trends of the related technologies in the Asian and Pacific (APAC) region.

Recent Findings

The largest commercial-scale CSP, hybrid CSP-PV, and integrated solar combined cycle (ISCC) plants have been planned and constructed in Australia, China, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The research trends of CSP-related technologies in the APAC region are classified into three groups: (1) techno-economic analysis and potential evaluation of CSP and hybrid plants at a commercial scale, (2) development of elemental technology for next-generation CSP and hybrid plants, and (3) importance of thermal energy storage for achieving solar baseload power generation at an affordable LCOE and relatively high efficiency.

Summary

This paper reviews the development status of commercial-scale CSP and integrated CSP-PV plants in the APAC region, including the Middle East and Australia. A review of the research status for evaluating technical and economic aspects and a discussion of development trends are also provided.

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Funding

This research was partially supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Challenging Research (Exploratory), JSPS KAKENHI (grant number 21K18920), and Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B), JSPS KAKENHI (grant number 22H02016).

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  1. Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, 8050 Ikarashi 2-Nocho, Niigata, 950-2181, Japan

    Nobuyuki Gokon

  2. Faculty of Engineering, Niigata University, 8050 Ikarashi 2-Nocho, Niigata, 950-2181, Japan

    Nobuyuki Gokon

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Gokon, N. Progress in Concentrated Solar Power, Photovoltaics, and Integrated Power Plants Towards Expanding the Introduction of Renewable Energy in the Asia/Pacific Region. Curr Sustainable Renewable Energy Rep 10, 250–263 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40518-023-00226-1

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