In the sun-scorched deserts where water is more precious than gold, Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) plants face a daunting challenge: their thirst for water. These plants, designed to harness the sun’s energy, often rely on water-intensive cooling systems to maintain efficiency. However, a groundbreaking study led by Taqiy Eddine Boukelia from the Laboratory of Applied Energetics and Materials at the University of Jijel, Algeria, has shed new light on a potential solution: dry cooling.
Boukelia and his team delved into the techno-economic aspects of deploying both wet and dry cooling modes in two distinct parabolic trough solar thermal power plants. One plant used thermic oil, while the other employed molten salt. The findings, published in the International Journal of Energetica, revealed that dry cooling could decrease the power plants’ yields by up to 8.7% and 9.3% for oil and salt configurations, respectively. However, the trade-off is significant: water consumption plummeted by over 94% for both plants.
“The main advantage of using dry cooling is the drastic reduction in water consumption,” Boukelia emphasized. “This is crucial for regions where water is scarce, making CSP plants more sustainable and viable.”
The study also highlighted the economic implications. The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) increased by up to 9.3% for the oil plant and 10.0% for the salt plant when using dry cooling. While this might seem like a substantial increase, the long-term benefits of reduced water dependency could outweigh the initial costs, especially in water-scarce regions.
The research didn’t stop at theoretical analysis. Boukelia and his team applied their methodology to two additional sites worldwide, confirming the viability of their results. This global applicability underscores the potential for dry cooling to revolutionize the CSP industry.
The implications for the energy sector are profound. As the world shifts towards renewable energy sources, the ability to operate solar power plants efficiently in arid regions could unlock vast potential for solar energy. This research not only highlights the importance of working fluids on the cooling system of solar power plants but also paves the way for future developments in sustainable energy solutions.
Boukelia’s work, published in the International Journal of Energetica, is a beacon of innovation in the field of solar energy. It challenges the status quo and offers a pathway to more sustainable and efficient solar power generation, particularly in regions where water is a precious commodity. As the energy sector continues to evolve, studies like this one will be instrumental in shaping the future of renewable energy.
