Performance optimization of a solar-assisted supercritical power plant at part-load and fuel-saving operation

Solar energy is an abundant and sustainable clean energy resource that has the potential to significantly reduce harmful emissions from traditional thermal power plants. One innovative method of hybridizing solar energy with conventional power plants is through the use of a solar-assisted power plant (SAPP). This system harnesses solar energy to decrease the reliance on fossil fuels, thereby enhancing thermal efficiency and minimizing emissions. In the present work, the performance of solar-assisted supercritical power plant (SASPP) is simulated, analyzed, and optimized. Specifically, the impacts of the economizer (ECO) inlet temperature and the heat transfer fluid (HTF) temperature, which ranges from 340 to 400 °C, on the plant's efficiency are studied. The optimum performance of SASPP at part-load and fuel-saving operation for two different fuels; natural gas (NG) and mazout oil fuels is assessed. The findings indicate that utilizing the natural gas as the main fuel for the SASPP at 50 % part-load and HTF temperatures ranging from 340 to 380 °C, the optimal ECO inlet temperatures vary from 309 to 349 °C, resulting in fuel savings of 10.2 %–18.5 %. As well, the varying of the HTF temperatures from 340 to 380 °C, enhances the optimal ECO inlet temperatures from 309 to 349 °C, resulting in fuel-savings of 10.2 % and 18.5 %.