Energy, Exergy and Economic Feasibility Analyses of a 60 MW Conventional Steam Power Plant Integrated with Parabolic Trough Solar Collectors Using Nanofluids

The present study focuses on the detailed technical and cost-effective feasibility analyses of a 60 MWe steam power plant integrated with parabolic trough solar collectors. Aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) nanoparticles are mixed with thermal oil to be used as a heat transfer fluid in the collector loops. The electric power is generated using steam Rankine cycle. For this purpose, the steam turbine of 60 MWe production capability of Teknecik power plant located in Northern Cyprus has been analyzed and an integrated solar steam turbine system is presented which generates electric power. Detailed energy and exergy assessment of the solar thermal plant is carried out. The important parameters are examined including overall energy and exergy efficiencies, exergy destruction rate and system performance by varying direct normal irradiation (DNI), mass flow rate of the collector, ambient and inlet temperatures. Furthermore, thermal power available from the solar field at various solar multiples is assessed, and levelized energy cost has been calculated. Results show that turbines are the main source of exergy destruction (63855 kW) followed by feedwater heaters and boiler. Overall energetic and exergetic efficiencies of the system are observed to be 22.64 and 23.83%, respectively. The integration of PTC system with conventional plant results in a reduction in fuel consumption which significantly brings down the CO₂ emissions by almost 33%.