Hybridization of a parabolic trough-based thermal plant for industrial heat and power generation

In this study, the hybridization of a solar thermal (ST) plant based on parabolic trough solar collectors for a dairy plant in Mexico is technically and economically evaluated. The study is based on dynamic TRNSYS simulations, as well as a thermal steady-state model developed in the engineering equation solver (EES). The performance of the hybrid plant (LCPVT) is investigated and compared to that of an ST plant with the same installation area in low, medium, and high solar resource locations. For the aforementioned locations, cost savings and environmental impacts are assessed considering different fuels. The results demonstrate that the LCPVT plant reached a peak thermal output of 70.4 kW and a peak electrical power output of 16.2 kW over the summer. Although the ST plant generates up to 11% more heat than the LCPVT system, the LCPVT system can generate an additional 22,211 kWh of electricity every year. The initial investment of the hybrid plant was 16.5% higher than that of the ST plant. Accordingly, the hybrid plant can achieve payback periods less than 5.0 years when the hybrid receptor fractional cost is less than 0.3 and the displaced fuel is diesel or liquified petroleum gas. (C) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the technical and economic performance of a solar thermal/photovoltaic hybrid system using parabolic trough solar collectors for a dairy plant in Mexico. The results showed that the hybrid system achieved higher thermal and electrical outputs in summer compared to a standalone solar thermal system.