Energy cost optimization of Linear Fresnel Reflector (LFR) systems for different regions of installation

M.P.G. Sirimanna; J.D. Nixon

doi:10.1016/j.energy.2024.132040

Energy cost optimization of Linear Fresnel Reflector (LFR) systems for different regions of installation

M.P.G. Sirimanna, J.D. Nixon

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Abstract

The Linear Fresnel Reflector (LFR) is a promising Concentrating Solar Thermal Power (CSP) technology due to its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. This paper presents a novel method for optimizing the Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCOE) for site-specific LFR systems. The method integrates ray tracing and a thermal model with a genetic algorithm to simulate and optimize LFR designs for three different annual solar irradiance profiles. For an LFR with a standard evacuated tube receiver with a 70 mm diameter, the optimal design variables are determined to be within the ranges of 8.9–9.2 m for receiver height, 18–22 for the number of mirrors, 0.63–0.81 m for mirror width and 0.10–0.13 m for mirror spacing. The results show that the optimized LFR design variables remain relatively consistent across different locations, allowing for the efficient use of one design in multiple locations. A sensitivity analysis shows that the LCOE is predominantly affected by receiver height. Comparing the optimized designs with recent commercial LFR installations reveals that, when 6 hours of thermal energy storage is used, LCOE savings of up to 20% are still achievable. Overall, the study demonstrates that there are still substantial LFR design improvements that can be made to reduce the cost of electricity from an LFR system and make it a cost-competitive solution for clean power generation.

Original language	English
Article number	132040
Number of pages	17
Journal	Energy
Volume	306
Early online date	14 Jun 2024
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2024.132040
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 14 Jun 2024

Bibliographical note

This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. © 2024 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Keywords

Concentrating solar thermal power (CSP)
Genetic algorithm (GA)
Levelised cost of electricity (LCOE)
Linear fresnel collector (LFC)
Ray tracing
Solar multiple (SM)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Mechanical Engineering
Pollution
Energy Engineering and Power Technology
Energy(all)
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
Building and Construction
Fuel Technology
Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
Civil and Structural Engineering
Modelling and Simulation

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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Sirimanna2024VoRFinal published version, 6.79 MBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

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title = "Energy cost optimization of Linear Fresnel Reflector (LFR) systems for different regions of installation",

abstract = "The Linear Fresnel Reflector (LFR) is a promising Concentrating Solar Thermal Power (CSP) technology due to its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. This paper presents a novel method for optimizing the Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCOE) for site-specific LFR systems. The method integrates ray tracing and a thermal model with a genetic algorithm to simulate and optimize LFR designs for three different annual solar irradiance profiles. For an LFR with a standard evacuated tube receiver with a 70 mm diameter, the optimal design variables are determined to be within the ranges of 8.9–9.2 m for receiver height, 18–22 for the number of mirrors, 0.63–0.81 m for mirror width and 0.10–0.13 m for mirror spacing. The results show that the optimized LFR design variables remain relatively consistent across different locations, allowing for the efficient use of one design in multiple locations. A sensitivity analysis shows that the LCOE is predominantly affected by receiver height. Comparing the optimized designs with recent commercial LFR installations reveals that, when 6 hours of thermal energy storage is used, LCOE savings of up to 20% are still achievable. Overall, the study demonstrates that there are still substantial LFR design improvements that can be made to reduce the cost of electricity from an LFR system and make it a cost-competitive solution for clean power generation.",

keywords = "Concentrating solar thermal power (CSP), Genetic algorithm (GA), Levelised cost of electricity (LCOE), Linear fresnel collector (LFC), Ray tracing, Solar multiple (SM)",

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note = "This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. {\textcopyright} 2024 Published by Elsevier Ltd.",

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N2 - The Linear Fresnel Reflector (LFR) is a promising Concentrating Solar Thermal Power (CSP) technology due to its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. This paper presents a novel method for optimizing the Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCOE) for site-specific LFR systems. The method integrates ray tracing and a thermal model with a genetic algorithm to simulate and optimize LFR designs for three different annual solar irradiance profiles. For an LFR with a standard evacuated tube receiver with a 70 mm diameter, the optimal design variables are determined to be within the ranges of 8.9–9.2 m for receiver height, 18–22 for the number of mirrors, 0.63–0.81 m for mirror width and 0.10–0.13 m for mirror spacing. The results show that the optimized LFR design variables remain relatively consistent across different locations, allowing for the efficient use of one design in multiple locations. A sensitivity analysis shows that the LCOE is predominantly affected by receiver height. Comparing the optimized designs with recent commercial LFR installations reveals that, when 6 hours of thermal energy storage is used, LCOE savings of up to 20% are still achievable. Overall, the study demonstrates that there are still substantial LFR design improvements that can be made to reduce the cost of electricity from an LFR system and make it a cost-competitive solution for clean power generation.

AB - The Linear Fresnel Reflector (LFR) is a promising Concentrating Solar Thermal Power (CSP) technology due to its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. This paper presents a novel method for optimizing the Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCOE) for site-specific LFR systems. The method integrates ray tracing and a thermal model with a genetic algorithm to simulate and optimize LFR designs for three different annual solar irradiance profiles. For an LFR with a standard evacuated tube receiver with a 70 mm diameter, the optimal design variables are determined to be within the ranges of 8.9–9.2 m for receiver height, 18–22 for the number of mirrors, 0.63–0.81 m for mirror width and 0.10–0.13 m for mirror spacing. The results show that the optimized LFR design variables remain relatively consistent across different locations, allowing for the efficient use of one design in multiple locations. A sensitivity analysis shows that the LCOE is predominantly affected by receiver height. Comparing the optimized designs with recent commercial LFR installations reveals that, when 6 hours of thermal energy storage is used, LCOE savings of up to 20% are still achievable. Overall, the study demonstrates that there are still substantial LFR design improvements that can be made to reduce the cost of electricity from an LFR system and make it a cost-competitive solution for clean power generation.

KW - Concentrating solar thermal power (CSP)

KW - Genetic algorithm (GA)

KW - Levelised cost of electricity (LCOE)

KW - Linear fresnel collector (LFC)

KW - Ray tracing

KW - Solar multiple (SM)

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DO - 10.1016/j.energy.2024.132040

M3 - Article

SN - 0360-5442

VL - 306

JO - Energy

JF - Energy

M1 - 132040

ER -

Energy cost optimization of Linear Fresnel Reflector (LFR) systems for different regions of installation

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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