Parametric Optimization and Performance Analysis of a Central Receiver Solar Power Plant: A Numerical Study for Enhanced Solar Field and Receiver

Faculty of Science and Technology, Mohammedia, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco.

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Abstract

In the context of the energy transition and the search for sustainable solutions, central receiver solar power plants have become a promising technology for generating green electricity. The present case study aims to identify the optimal dimensional parameters of a solar tower plant located in southern Morocco. Typical Meteorological Year (TMY) data were collected for the targeted region to ensure a realistic representation of local climatic conditions. The modelling of the optical behavior of the heliostat field and the receiver is carried out using a simulation approach based on the Monte Carlo Ray Tracing (MCRT) method. The main objective is to identify an optimal configuration by varying several key parameters, such as the layout of the heliostats, the tower height, and the receiver dimensions. The results obtained show that an increase in the tower height leads to a growth in the number of accessible heliostats and therefore an expansion of the mirror field. Optimal performance is achieved for a tower height between 180 and 200 meters. For this height of the tower the optical losses due to dissipation effects and atmospheric attenuation are at their maximum, reaching approximately 5.05% and 8.9%, respectively. On the other hand, losses due to blocking/shading effects and the cosine effect reach their minimum values, at approximately 1% and 20%, respectively.