Simulation and analysis of a combined energy & water system

Abstract

The present dissertation has as its objective the description of the design and production analysis of a complex system comprising a 20 MW concentrated solar power plant with biomass support system and an advanced wastewater treatment facility. This large scale engineering project is to be installed in Fuentes de Andaluc a, a town located 57 km away from the Spanish province of Seville, with the purpose of evaluating the viability of this kind of power plants in one of the most water and energy demanding areas of the Iberian Peninsula. Hybrid power plants appear as a present solution with a promising future due to its electrical manageability, which enables the storage and regulation of energy production. Central receiver technology allows to work at higher temperatures arising from its greater concentration ratios and reducing at the same time the size and cost of storage systems. Likewise, molten salts system represent one of the most e ective technologies for electricity generation with respect to costs. Hybrid power plants entail a bright alternative to increment the energetic production at a relatively low additional cost with fewer pollutant emissions. The solar block of our power plant consists of a heliostats eld controlled to concentrate the incoming solar radiation towards a receiver located at the top of a tower. Molten salts sent through the receiver work as the heat transfer uid collecting the thermal energy used to generate electricity. For its part, the biomass block uses olive pomace as biomass material to serve as a backup for the power plant when necessary. Major components of a central receiver power station are de ned and selected as well as the most suitable con guration for each part of the generation plant. Similarly, the implementation of a direct potable reuse facility enhances the renewable potential of this project. The idea is that, urban sewage from the region is collected and subjected to a series of puri cation procedures until it becomes drinkable water ready to be directly blended into the potable distribution system. A speci c treatment train is proposed to ful l the desired water requirements and a sensitivity analysis is carried out in order to determine the feasibility of this kind of regeneration systems. Once the main components of the power plant have been de ned and taking into account the data of solar irradiation at this speci c location, outcomes show that the plant is capable of generating 20 MW of electric power. Assuming a capacity factor of 85% and the use of biomass, the operation period of the plant reaches a value of 7446 hours per year. Regarding these gures the annual electric production of the solar power plant can be calculated supplying the region with 148,92 GWh and avoiding the emission of tons of CO2 into the atmosphere. Furthermore, an exergetic and economic analysis of the power plant are conducted.