Sustainable solar dish based CSP-fossil operated hybrid power plant with thermal energy storage utilizing triple extraction steam and organic Rankine cycles

CSP is gaining popularity as a means to collect solar energy. This study examines its role in promoting sustainable energy. The paper presents the design and analysis of a solar dish-based CSP system operating with a triple extraction Rankine cycle — a thermodynamic cycle that utilizes energy at multiple points in the process to maximize overall work output by extracting steam during expansion at varied pressures. The system features thermal energy storage (TES) using molten salt (MSES), coupled with an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) to boost efficiency. It also includes a natural gas-based oxy-fuel combustion chamber for consistent energy supply when solar power is unavailable, forming a hybrid setup. The system aims to generate substantial electrical energy, thereby repositioning the role of CSP from a supplementary component in fossil fuel-dependent power cycles to a fully sustainable alternative capable of meeting the escalating global energy demand. CSP technology is strongly supported by the study as a key power source. It considers Curzon-Ahlborn efficiency, which accounts for irreversibility, representing the theoretical maximum efficiency of a heat engine operating between two thermal reservoirs. Dynamic interactions occur among its components (CSP system, ORC, oxy chamber, and conventional units) in response to changing energy demand, solar availability, and fuel supply. The study reveals that the triple extraction Rankine cycle has an efficiency of 47.15 % under optimal operating conditions, compared to other extraction processes. Furthermore, a comprehensive analysis has been conducted on the system’s dynamic behavior under various weather conditions, as the CSP/Rankine system can supply stable energy for 82 % of the year while only using solar power. This study also includes a comparison between the standard paradigm of electricity generation and the utilization of renewable energy sources. The implementation of a hybrid system results in a fuel consumption reduction of 74 % compared to a power plant that solely relies on fossil fuels.