SOLAR THERMAL CONVERSION MISSION ANALYSIS, MISSION/SYSTEM AND ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

ABSTRACT:
This report describes the mission/systems and economic analyses performed to examine the dynamic interaction of insolation, demand, and solar power systems. These analyses utilized the hourly demand projections and regional insolation data described in the previous volumes. A methodology

Show More

was developed to parametrically assess the performance characteristics of alternative solar thermal conversion missions and systems in realistic operating environments on a consistent basis. This model permits the simulation of one or more solar power plants integrated into a power grid on an hour-by-hour basis for at least a full year. When more detailed subsystem descriptions, representative of the alternative solar power plants, become available from various system design studies now under way, the subroutines will be increased in complexity to more accurately reflect the system design characteristics and to examine the effect and sensitivity of the major design parameters. To ensure against the probability that the electrical load or demand exceeds the available generating capacity for a particular electric power utility, the installed generating capacity for United States utility companies is designed to be in excess of the anticipated peak loads. This incremental generating capacity over peak load is called the margin. Margin requirements for power plants arise from unscheduled outages. These unscheduled outages are separate from outages for scheduled maintenance and seasonal deratings of power plants. In addition to mechanical outages, solar power plants incur insolation outages. Consequently, when solar thermal conversion solar power plants are integrated with conventional nuclear and fossil power plants in a total power grid, a margin analysis must be performed to ensure

Show Less