Hybrid technology combines solar PV-CSP concentrated solar power with PV-CSP costs less than gas plants in Chile.
A group of researchers from the center of solar technology in Frownhover Chile compared the costs and prices of Solar Hybrid Station-wide projects (PV-CSP) and natural gas-based thermal technologies and concluded that the most competitive configuration in accordance with conditions LCOE Levelized cost of energy with a hybrid station combining solar photovoltaic and concentrated solar power (CSP) concentrating solar power with integrated thermal storage.
In a study published in the Energies Scientific Journal, Chilean scientists found that LCOE for four different types of PV-CSP hybrid plants is less than those for natural gas thermal power plants.
Their analysis shows that the best PV-CSP configuration, with 13 hours of storage and no power-generating restrictions, achieved the cost of LCOE of $ 53 / megawatt an hour while natural gas technology was assessed, with a factor planter is 85 % and a variable cost of fuel of $ 2 / million British thermal units have an LCOE cost of $ 86 / megawatt hr.
′′ Hybrid solar power plants, under certain circumstances, are more profitable than its closest competitor to the Chilean grid, while at the same time… the researcher Aloss Salmon said… great flexibility and dispatch ability “.
′′ Focused solar technology offers very similar systemic benefits while avoiding large negative external factors, compared to gas plants, more profitable “. said researcher Maria Theresa Cerda “. in particular, concentrated solar energy Very flexible, no emissions, and no overseas markets to fuel. In short, it’s renewable energy that can contribute to lowering grid price and providing basic load and flexible electricity to Chile “.
Chile is currently hosting a large number of concentrated solar projects under development. The Cerro Dominador Solar Complex is one of Chile’s most important renewable energy projects, and its combined solar and photovoltaic energy is expected to reach 220 MW.