Modelling Concentrating Solar Power with Thermal Energy Storage for Integration Studies: Preprint

Marissa Hummon

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

Abstract

Concentrating solar power with thermal energy storage (CSP-TES) can provide multiple benefits to the grid, including low marginal cost energy and the ability to levelize load, provide operating reserves, and provide firm capacity. It is challenging to properly value the integration of CSP because of the complicated nature of this technology. Unlike completely dispatchable fossil sources, CSP is alimited energy resource, depending on the hourly and daily supply of solar energy. To optimize the use of this limited energy, CSP-TES must be implemented in a production cost model with multiple decision variables for the operation of the CSP-TES plant. We develop and implement a CSP-TES plant in a production cost model that accurately characterizes the three main components of the plant: solarfield, storage tank, and power block. We show the effect of various modelling simplifications on the value of CSP, including: scheduled versus optimized dispatch from the storage tank and energy-only operation versus co-optimization with ancillary services.
Original languageAmerican English
Number of pages10
StatePublished - 2013
Event3rd International Workshop on Integration of Solar Power in Power Systems - London, England
Duration: 21 Oct 201322 Oct 2013

Conference

Conference3rd International Workshop on Integration of Solar Power in Power Systems
CityLondon, England
Period21/10/1322/10/13

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/CP-6A20-60365

Keywords

  • concentrating solar power (CSP)
  • optimization
  • production cost model
  • thermal energy storage

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