Concentrated Solar Power: A Vision for Rajasthan

Abstract

Different technologies for solar thermal power plants making use of concentrating solar energy systems are:

• Parabolic troughs,

• Central receivers (towers) and

• Parabolic dishes.

A project of solar trough field combined with a gas fired combined cycle power plant (Integrated Solar Combined Cycle—ISCC) in Rajasthan for the generation 140 MW will have annual abatement of 714,400 t of CO₂ emissions, use of primary fuel (LNG), overcome dust problems, solar energy collected by the solar field during the day will be stored in the storage system and then dispatched after sunset, additional capacity of 100–150 MW can reduce electricity problems, 24 h operation facility and supply of both heat and electricity at least prices. The ISCC will operate as base load plant with and expected plant load factor of 80 %. It will have 35 MW capacity solar thermal block of parabolic trough and 105 MW combined cycle block using natural gas. The ISCC plant will comprise a solar field to support a 35–40 MW solar thermal plants combined cycle power block involving two gas turbines of 70 MW connected to the Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG) and a steam turbine of 70 MW connected to both HRSG. The project will be the first of its kind in the world where solar thermal energy will be integrated into combined cycle power block. This project could easily decrease both electricity charges as well as installation charges of the power plant in India.