A geospatial analysis approach for the operational assessment of solar ORC systems. Case study: Performance evaluation of a two-stage solar ORC engine in Greece

Renewable energy potential depends on many variables that vary both in space and time. Therefore, geospatial analysis approaches may effectively support proper planning and technoeconomic analysis. In this study, a simulation model of a two-stage Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) engine combined with evacuated tube solar collectors was developed and applied throughout Greece. The simulation model uses daily meteorological data for a thirty-four years reference period. These data are downscaled in hourly time step and used to predict the system's performance in spatially distributed form based on experimental data. The obtained results are statistically analysed and a set of ranking maps presenting various aspects of the integrated system performance is created. The results indicate that there is a profound spatial variability. The interannual average power production ranges spatially between 17.4 and 27.7 kWh/d, the total efficiency between 0.022 and 0.028 and the corresponding energy cost between 0.41 and 0.7 V/kWh. Finally, the effect of climate variability on energy production performance and the presence of trends are investigated. The proposed approach was proven to be an effective tool for the assessment of the feasibility and potential of a solar heat-to-power engine for Greece and to be expanded in other regions as well. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study developed a simulation model of a two-stage ORC engine combined with evacuated tube solar collectors and applied it throughout Greece. The results show profound spatial variability in system performance.