Design of an Integrated Helio-Thermal Plant Scheme and Methodology for Assessing Its Performance

In this paper, a novel integrated twin-tower solar power plant (STPP) scheme is proposed, utilizing both water and molten salt as heat carriers to enhance efficiency. Existing STPP technologies, such as those implemented in Ivanpah (USA) and NUR 3 (Morocco), are analyzed to establish a comparative framework. The proposed system optimizes heliostat redistribution between the towers to maximize thermal power absorption while maintaining economic feasibility. A detailed methodology for calculating key parameters, including heliostat count, tower height, and coolant volume, is presented, along with an approach to optimize heliostat field distribution for improved performance. The research employs a computational modeling approach based on existing methodologies, integrating empirical data from operational STPPs to develop and validate the proposed scheme. The results show that the twin-tower configuration achieves higher efficiency and reduces heliostat requirements compared to conventional single-tower designs. Furthermore, optimizing the redistribution of heliostats significantly improves thermal energy storage utilization, which leads to increased electricity generation and enhanced operational stability.