Estudo de integração de energia heliométrica em uma termelétrica de ciclo combinado

Abstract

This work presents a study of concentrated solar power insertion in the Brazilian energy matrix, through integration of the solar energy with Luís Carlos Prestes Thermoelectric Power Plant (UTE-LCP) in Três Lagoas city. The current situation of the Brazilian electricity sector, which has presented strong growth of thermoelectric dispatch in recent years and the consequent increase in the cost of electricity generation, justifies the development of alternative energy sources. The purpose of this study is to present a model of electricity generation through thermal solar source compatible to technological and economic realities of the energy market. The study is based on evaluation of the linear Fresnel reflector with direct steam generation, because this configuration has investment, operation and maintenance attractive costs. The performance of the solar field is simulated in the System Advisor Model software (SAM) of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The predict performance is used with UTE-LCP operational database to estimate the additional electricity generation. Finally, the financial analysis is carried out through economic engineering tools, which identifies a Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) of the 139.24 USD MW-1h-1 at least. This LCOE is 42.7% less than cost estimates for Concentrating Solar Power plants. Sensitivity analysis indicates that the cost of capital has critical impact on the LCOE, which was attributed to the character of high dependence on Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) capital resources.