Techno-economic selection and initial evaluation of supercritical CO2 cycles for particle technology-based concentrating solar power plants

In this study, the techno-economic performance of supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) power cycles in concentrating solar plants based on particle technology is assessed. A simplified levelized cost electricity calculation was used to investigate effect cycle parameters, compare layouts and allow for comparing optimized sCO2 blocks with steam technology. Results showed that simple fewer components lower parameters lead lowest energy cost. This caused by (a) components, (b) primary heat exchanger, turbine as well recuperator if inlet temperatures limited (c) a thermal storage system temperature increase exchanger large. Nevertheless, even most economical variants generate at 10 % higher than reference significantly efficiency. These results held true when changes were made models. Finally, it shown main equipment would have be reduced 30 %–50 reach parity systems. findings will need confirmed more detailed off-design simulations field components.