Optimizing an advanced hybrid of solar-assisted supercritical CO2 Brayton cycle: A vital transition for low-carbon power generation industry

Current worldwide infrastructure of electrical power generation would mostly continue to rely on fossil fuel but require a modest transition for the ultimate goal of decarbonizing power generation industry. By relying on those already established and carefully managed centrepiece power plants (PPs), we aim at filling the deficits of the current electrical networks with smaller, cleaner, and also more efficient PPs. In this context, we present a unique model for a small-scale decentralized solar-assisted supercritical CO2 closed Brayton cycle (sCO(2)-CBC). Our model is based on the optimized values of three key performance indicators (KPIs); thermal efficiency, concentrated solar power (CSP) compatibility, and water demand for cooling. For a case-study of 10 MWe CSP-assisted sCO(2)-CBC power plant, our dynamic model shows a 52.7% thermal efficiency and 25.9% solar penetration and up to 80% of water saving in heat rejection units. These KPIs show significant promise of the solar-assisted supercritical CO2 power cycle for an imperative transformation in the power industry towards future sustainable electricity generation. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.