Abstract

Renewable energy technologies are clean and meet the energy demand which is not met by
conventional sources of energy technologies. At present electricity generation from solar sources
is being reached a remarkable edge. A large scale electrical energy can be generated using
concentrating solar thermal hybrid power plant with storage system. It is fact that solar thermal
power plant (STPP) cannot operate stably and continuously due to variability of solar irradiation.
This paper proposed a optimal operating mode of hybrid STPP power plant with biomass for
continuous electricity generation. The proposed system would be contributed to operate the
biomass supported solar thermal hybrid power plant (STHPP) with stably and continuously for
the generation of electrical energy. This paper is a technological review for the running mode of
STPP that will ensure 100% electricity generation from renewable sources with optimized
operation strategies. The storage system of STHPP contributes to save biomass fuel that will
increase the overall efficiency of the plant.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgement i

Abstract ii

Chapter 1 Introduction 1

1.1 Biomass 1
1.2 Solar energy 3
1.2.1 Applications of solar technology 3
1.3 Solar thermal energy 4
1.4 Solar thermal collectors 5
1.4.1 Trough collector system 5
1.4.2 Parabolic dish system 6
1.4.3 Central receiver system
7

Chapter 2 Working principle of STPP 8

Chapter 3 Proposed STPP for stable and continuous operation 12

3.1 Biomass supported STHPP for continuous electricity generation 12

3.2 Contribution of thermal energy storage system 12

3.2.1 Thermal storage 15
3.3 Biomass for STPP 16

Chapter 4 Advantages of biomass supported STHPP 17

Chapter 5 Conclusions 19

Reference 20
 LIST OF FIGURES

Fig 1 Parabolic trough collector 5

Fig 2 Parabolic dish system 6

Fig 3 Central receiver system 7

Fig 4 Parabolic dish STPP 9

Fig 5 Characteristics of STPP with molten salt central 10

Fig 6 Solar thermal power plant with an auxiliary boiler 13

Fig 7 Characteristics of STHPP with auxiliary boiler 14

 LIST OF TABLES

Table 1 Estimated cost of proposed biomass supported solar 18

thermal hybrid power plant
CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION
Biomass Supported Solar Thermal Hybrid Power Plant discuss about the use of non-
renewable energy cause environmental pollution and also they gets depleted. Pollution free,
freely available renewable sources are best alternative. Solar power plants are widely used but
its main problem is variability. Biomass plants are also used but its fuel availability in large
amount is difficult. To overcome the disadvantages of both power plants they are combined.
By shared use of some of the equipments effective cost is less than simple addition. Effective
operating hours and therefore overall energy generation is higher. Hence this can be considered
as technology for future.

Need of solar thermal power plant is increasing due to increased fuel cost and
environmental pollution. Working similar to conventional thermal power plant. Steam is
generated through solar thermal energy instead of fossil fuel.

1.1 BIOMASS
Biomass is a renewable energy resource derived from the carbonaceous waste of
various human and natural activities. It is derived from numerous sources, including the by-
products from the timber industry, agricultural crops, raw material from the forest, major parts
of household waste and wood.

It is a biological material derived from living, or recently living organisms. It most

often refers to plants or plant-based materials which are specifically called lignocellulosic
biomass. As an energy source, biomass can either be used directly via combustion to produce
heat, or indirectly after converting it to various forms of biofuel.
Conversion of biomass to biofuel can be achieved by different methods which are
broadly classified into: thermal, chemical, and biochemical methods.

Wood remains the largest biomass energy source to date; examples include forest
residues (such as dead trees, branches and tree stumps), yard clippings, wood chips and
even municipal solid waste.

In the second sense, biomass includes plant or animal matter that can be converted into
fibers or other industrial chemicals, including biofuels. Industrial biomass can be grown from
numerous types of plants, including miscanthus, switchgrass, hemp, corn, willow, sorghum,
sugarcane, bamboo, and a variety of tree species, ranging from eucalyptus to oil palm (palm
oil).

Biomass can be converted to other usable forms of energy like methane gas or
transportation fuels like ethanol and biodiesel. Rotting garbage, and agricultural and human
waste, all release methane gas also called "landfill gas" or "biogas". Crops, such as corn and
sugar cane, can be fermented to produce the transportation fuel, ethanol. Biodiesel, another
transportation fuel, can be produced from left-over food products like vegetable oils and animal
fats.

The biomass used for electricity generation varies by region. Forest by-products, such
as wood residues, are common in the United States. Agricultural waste is common
in Mauritius (sugar cane residue) and Southeast Asia (rice husks). Animal husbandry residues,
such as poultry litter, are common in the UK.

The main contribution of waste energy are municipal solid waste, manufacturing waste
and landfill gas.

If the total annual primary production of biomass is just over 100 billion
tonnes /year, and the energy reserve per metric tonne of biomass is between about 1.5
3Kilowatt hours then biomass could perhaps provide only one tenth of the approximate annual
150 Terra watt/hours required for the current world energy consumption.

1.2 SOLAR ENERGY

Solar energy is radiant light and heat from the sun harnessed using a range of ever-
evolving technologies such as solar heating, solar photovoltaics, solar thermal energy, solar
architecture and artificial photosynthesis.

It is an important source of renewable energy and its technologies are broadly

characterized as either passive solar or active solar depending on the way they capture and
distribute solar energy or convert it into solar power. Active solar techniques include the use
of photovoltaic systems, concentrated solar power and solar water heating to harness the
energy.

The development of affordable, inexhaustible and clean solar energy technologies will
have huge longer-term benefits. It will increase countries energy security through reliance on
an indigenous, inexhaustible and mostly import-independent resource, enhance sustainability,
reduce pollution, lower the costs of mitigating global warming, and keep fossil fuel prices
lower than otherwise. These advantages are global.

The Earth receives 174 petawatts (PW) of incoming solar radiation at the
upper atmosphere. Approximately 30% is reflected back to space while the rest is absorbed by
clouds, oceans and land masses. The spectrum of solar light at the Earth's surface is mostly
spread across the visible and near-infrared ranges with a small part in the near-ultraviolet.

The total solar energy absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere, oceans and land masses is
approximately 3,850,000 exajoules per year.

1.2.1 APPLICATIONS OF SOLAR TECHNOLOGY

Solar energy refers primarily to the use of solar radiation for practical ends. However,
all renewable energies, other than geothermal and tidal, derive their energy from the sun. Solar
technologies are broadly characterized as either passive or active depending on the way they
capture, convert and distribute sunlight.

Active solar techniques use photovoltaic panels, pumps, and fans to convert sunlight
into useful outputs.
Passive solar techniques include selecting materials with favorable thermal properties,
designing spaces that naturally circulate air, and referencing the position of a building
to the Sun.

Active solar technologies increase the supply of energy and are considered supply
side technologies, while passive solar technologies reduce the need for alternate resources and
are generally considered demand side technologies.

1.3 SOLAR THERMAL ENERGY

Solar thermal energy is a form of energy and a technology for harnessing solar
energy to generate thermal energy or electrical energy for use in industry, and in the residential
and commercial sectors.

Solar thermal collectors are classified as low, medium, or high temperature collectors.

Low-temperature collectors are flat plates generally used to heat swimming pools.
 Medium-temperature collectors are also usually flat plates but are used for heating
water or air for residential and commercial use.
High-temperature collectors concentrate sunlight using mirrors or lenses and are
generally used for fulfilling heat requirements up to 300 deg C / 20 bar pressure in
industries, and for electric power production.

The existing instability of fossil fuel cost and the impact of environmental pollution
from fossil fuel, solar thermal power is being used to generate electrical energy as a great
potential of renewable energy technology. The Solar Thermal Power Plant (STTP) works like
as conventional thermal power plant, but instead of fossil fuel it uses solar thermal energy as a
heat for the generating steam.

1.4 SOLAR THERMAL COLLECTORS

There are different methodologies available. Some types of methodologies used for
STPP such as parabolic trough Collector system, parabolic dish system, and central receiver
system.

1.4.1 TROUGH COLLECTOR SYSTEM

Fig. 1
Parabolic Trough collector
 In the above diagram we can see that how a parabolic collector focuses sunlight in to
focal point. It is the most cost effective and reliable among the three.

It is straight in one dimension and curved as a parabola in the other two, lined with a
polished metal mirror. The energy of sunlight which enters the mirror parallel to its plane of
symmetry is focused along the focal line, where Heat transfer fluid (usually oil) runs through
the tube to absorb the concentrated sunlight.

Heat transfer fluid (usually thermal oil) runs through the tube to absorb the
concentrated sunlight. This increases the temperature of the fluid to some 400 C. The heat
transfer fluid is then used to heat steam in a standard turbine generator. The process is
economical and, for heating the pipe, thermal efficiency ranges from 60-80%. The overall
efficiency from collector to grid, i.e. (Electrical Output Power)/ (Total Impinging Solar Power)
is about 15%, similar to PV (Photovoltaic Cells).

1.4.2 PARABOLIC DISH SYSTEM

With a parabolic dish collector, one or more parabolic dishes concentrate solar energy
at a single focal point, similar to the way a reflecting telescope focuses starlight, or a dish
antenna focuses radio waves. This geometry may be used in solar furnaces and solar power
plants.

Fig. 2 Parabolic dish Collector

1.4.3 CENTRAL RECEIVER SYSTEM

In a central receiver system (also known as a power tower), thousands of two-axis

tracking mirrors (heliostats) track the sun and reflect its light towards a central point at the top
of a tower. The reflected suns energy is used to heat up a liquid inside of the tower which in
turn is used to run a steam engine. A form of molten salt is normally used due to its high
specific heat capacity. Currently, the largest power tower plan exists in Spain, producing 20
MW (PS20). Several other projects are under development in the US, the largest being the 150
MW Rice Solar Energy Project proposed in the Mojave Desert.

Fig. 3 Central receiver system

CHAPTER 2

WORKING PRINCIPLE OF SOLAR THERMAL

POWER PLANT
Solar energy consists of thermal radiation emitted by the sun. The radiation of the sun
which reaches the Earths atmosphere is called solar irradiance. Solar technologies can use the
un-scattered solar irradiance called direct irradiance or beam irradiance and the remaining
and scattered irradiance diffuse irradiance. Both irradiances together are in sum the global solar
irradiation. This high irradiance is used in concentrating solar power plants for electricity
generation by optical concentration of solar energy to obtain high-temperature fluids or
materials to drive heat engines and electrical generators.

The production of electricity from solar radiation is a direct process. Solar energy is
not very dense, it is necessary to concentrate it to produce exploitable temperatures usable for
the production of electricity. The radiation may concentrate on a point or on a line, where
thermal energy is transferred to the heat transfer fluid. The intensity of concentration is defined
by the concentration factor, the more this one is higher, the more reached temperature will be
important.

The existing instability of fossil fuel cost and the impact of environmental pollution
from fossil fuel, solar thermal power is being used to generate electrical energy as a great
potential of renewable energy technology. The STPP works like as conventional thermal power
plant, but instead of fossil fuel it uses solar thermal energy as a heat for the generating steam.
There are different methodologies available. Some types of methodologies used for STPP such
as parabolic trough Collector system, parabolic dish system, and central receiver system.

Among solar thermal power plants which are operating on medium temperature and
using the line focusing parabolic trough collector technology at a temperature of about 4000C
have established to be the most cost effective and reliable. The parabolic trough collectors have
been used to heat the absorber tubes which are contained a synthetic oil or water.

The synthetic oil is used for producing super-heated high pressure steam which drives
the turbine to generate electrical energy. The parabolic dish focus systems reflect light in to a
receiver at dishs focus and the maximum temperature is generated is 8000 - 10000 C.
 The parabolic dish system tracks the sun by rotating about two axes and the suns rays
are brought to a point focus. The diagram of this typical solar thermal plant is shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 Diagram of Parabolic Dish STPP

1---- PDS 5---- Steam Generator

2---- Receiver 6---- Turbine

3---- Heat Exchanger 7---- Alternator

4, 4`---- Heat Exchanger 8---- Condenser

A working fluid (oil/toluene/helium) flowing through a receiver at the focus is heated

and this heat is used for producing steam that drives a prime mover to generate electricity. This
parabolic dish system is also used to drive stirling engines to generate electrical energy. The
parabolic dish solar thermal power plant contains parabolic dish, receiver, heat exchanger, heat
storage systems, steam generator, steam turbine, alternator, and condenser.

In central receiver STPP, solar radiation reflected from arrays of large mirrors which
are called heliostats is concentrated on a receiver situated at the top of a supporting tower. A
molten salt is used as working fluid and medium of thermal storage system. The sun rays are
reflected using several hundreds of heliostat tracking mirrors and the maximum temperature is
generated in the central receiver is 5000-20000 C. A working fluid (molten salt, water, air)
flowing though receiver absorbs the concentrated radiation is used for producing steam and
this steam drives the steam turbine to generate electrical energy.

The characteristics of solar intensity, energy stored in the hot tank, and electric power
output as functions of time of day are shown in Fig. 5. The STPP starts collecting thermal
energy after sunrise and stores it in the hot tank throughout the day.

Fig. 5 Characteristics of STPP with molten salt central

When the field energy production is insufficient compared to the operating schedule,
the storage energy is used balance out the missing from the field. Due to the storage system,
power output from the alternator remains constant through fluctuations in solar intensity and
until all of the energy stored in the hot tank is depleted. Since the storage capacity is limited,
the STPP cannot supply electrical energy continuously. After sunset or in the case of
insufficient solar radiation, the storage energy will be used in electricity generation until the
depletion of storage energy. So energy storage plays an important role for the successful
operation of STPP, and working fluids are reliable media to be the key of the cost effective
energy storage system.
CHAPTER 3

PROPOSED STPP FOR STABLE AND CONTINUOUS

OPERATION
3.1 BIOMASS SUPPORTED SOLAR THERMAL HYBRID POWER
PLANT FOR CONTINUOUS ELECTRICITY GENERATION
STPP can operate when the sun is shining. But for any type of power plant, it is
desirable to be operated continuously. For STPP, solar thermal storage system can contribute
to operate continuously in generating electrical energy.
In the case of insufficient solar irradiation and after day time, a large amount of budget
will be required for the building of large storage system. Under the circumstances a special
arrangement can contribute to run the STPP continuously.
The biomass supported STHPP can contribute to generate electrical energy
continuously after sunset or in the case of disappearance of solar radiation. The diagram of
proposed hybrid plant is shown in Fig. 6. In the case of insufficient solar irradiation, biomass
plant contributes to operate STHPP for continuous operation.

Fig. 6 Solar thermal power plant with an auxiliary boiler

 1---- Receiver 6---- Turbine

2---- Auxiliary boiler 7---- Alternator

3---- Heat Exchanger 8---- Condenser

4, 4`---- Heat Storage 9---- Deaerator

5---- Steam Generator 10---- Steam Storage

The fuel will be provided from the biomass plant to heat water of auxiliary boiler,
producing steam which will drive steam turbine to generate electricity. The auxiliary boiler
ensures to maintain rated parameters of steam of the STHPP. The characteristics of STHPP are
shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 7 Characteristics of STHPP with auxiliary boiler

The storage energy of STHPP will remain approximately constant during 24 hours
time of day. So, biomass supported STHPP with auxiliary boiler generates electrical energy
stably and continuously. Due to variability of solar thermal energy, solar thermal storage
energy can be used for a short period and for a long period biomass fuel can be used for the
continuous operation of the hybrid plant.

3.2 CONTRIBUTION OF THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM

One of the major problems associated with the utilization of solar energy is its
variability. For this reason, most applications require some type of energy storage system. The
purpose of such a system is to store thermal energy in well insulated container with glass wool,
mineral wool or polyurethane when it is in excess of the requirement of an application and to
make it available for extraction when the supply of solar energy is absent or inadequate.

At present, insulation with ceramic fiber mattress protected by aluminum sheeting is

being used to increase solar thermal storage efficiency. Moreover, stainless steel liner
corrugated both transversely and longitudinally, the shell consisting of carbon steel sheeting,
a covering isolating bricks are being used in building of large storage system.

A potentially important advantage of STPP systems is that thermal energy is, relatively
easier and less-costly to store compared to electrical or other forms of energy. Cost-effective
storage will enable a high penetration of solar thermal energy into markets.

3.2.1 THERMAL STORAGE

There are three basic approaches to storing thermal energy:

Heating a liquid or solid which does not melt or otherwise change state during heating.
(This is called sensible-heat storage, and the amount of energy stored is proportional
to the systems temperature.)
Heating a material which melts, vaporizes, or undergoes some other change of state at
a constant temperature. (This is called latent-heat storage.)
Using heat to produce a chemical reaction which will then release this heat when the
reaction is reversed.

Sensible heat storage is most commonly used in current parabolic trough and central
receiver STHPP systems where hot heat transfer fluids such as water, oils or molten salts are
stored in tanks or underground caverns.

The thermal storage system of STHPP consists of two distinct tanks. The first tank
contains the working fluids leaving the solar reflector field during normal working condition
of STHPP, where the second tank contains the cooled working fluids leaving from the steam
generator after performing their job. The capacity of both tanks must be sized so as to hold the
entire quantity of working fluids present in STHPP, in case of unavoidable disturbance of one
tank it must be fed the contents to the other tank. So, the specification of both tanks must be
identical to work alternate. Working fluids with high temperature are collected from receiver
and then passed through the heat exchanger to the thermal storage container. Under running
condition of STHPP, thermal energy is passed to storage if the temperature of heat source
higher than heat loads and thermal energy from the storage will be passed to heat loads if the
temperature of heat source lowers than heat loads. The present capacity factor for biomass
plant is approximately 90% and efficiency 32-34% and with solar thermal storage system,
capacity factor is 65% and efficiency 30%.

3.3 BIOMASS FOR STPP

In biomass plant the main component is the boiler, which is where biomass is burnt to
generate superheated steam. Energy generated in the combustion process is used to heat the
feed water (economizer), generate steam (evaporator) and superheat the steam to its final
temperature and pressure (superheater).

Each biomass plant consists from the same principle and refers to renewable energy
coming from biological material such as plants, trees, manure, bagasse, wastes, sewage gas,
landfill gas etc. The effectiveness power generation requires availability of biological materials
and their transportation. It is important decision to integrate the correct sources of energy for
optimal power supply to the region.

Practically, the integration of alternative sources, such as biomass into the other
regional energy planning depends on the geographical characters of the region, the
transportation, and transmission and distribution lines. The optimal sites and sizes of biomass
plant will depend on availability of biomass materials and their storage, and transportation of
materials. The biomass fuel is transported from the fuel storage to the boiler within the fuel
system. The fuel is burned in the auxiliary boiler and steam is generated. The combustion gases
from the auxiliary boiler are conveyed to the flue gas cleaning system and then cleaned gases
are released to the atmosphere. The steam flows to the steam turbine produces mechanical
energy. The shaft of the steam turbine and the alternator are coupled, so the alternator converts
electrical energy from mechanical energy.
CHAPTER 4

ADVANTAGES OF BIOMASS SUPPORTED STHPP

In sunny day, solar thermal power plant generates reasonable amount of energy by
using the solar radiation. During sunny day there is no need of biomass .In sunny day solar
radiations are absorbed by the solar collectors and the absorbed radiation is used to generate
rated steam. This steam is used to run the turbines. But when the parameters of steam cannot
reach the rated value in insufficient solar radiation, then biomass plant starts to operate. During
this period the steam generated from biomass is mixed with steam from the receiver so the
mixed steam reaches to the rated value. After sunset STHPP starts to use the storage energy to
generate steam and in the case of deficiency of storage energy, the auxiliary boiler of biomass
plant reheats the steam to maintain the rated value of steam parameter. In the absent of solar
radiation or depletion of storage energy, the biomass plant starts to operate independently to
generate electricity stably and continuously.

The main advantage is that auxiliary boiler uses biomass fuel, producing steam for
continuous and stable operation of STHPP and ensures 100% uses of renewable sources to
generate electricity. So, no consumption of fossil fuel is needed in electricity generation that
will contribute to reduce the environmental pollution and increase the efficiency of the STHPP.

From the study, it can be estimated capital cost of proposed biomass hybrid power plant
with thermosolar which is shown in Table 1
ESTIMATED COST OF PROPOSED BIOMASS SUPPORTED SOLAR

THERMAL HYBRID POWER PLANT

Estimated Estimated
Sources cost /kw combined
(in USD ) cost/kw
(in USD)
Solar
Thermal Plant 3,149 5,018

Biomass
Plant 1,869

Table 1 Estimated cost of proposed biomass supported solar

thermal hybrid power plant

CHAPTER 5

CONCLUSION
By using solar thermal energy it is possible to generate power in large scale in STHPP.
It is essential to generate electrical power from 100% renewable sources, so that environmental
pollution can be reduced considerably and it can reduce use of fossil fuel. Based on the above
discussion, the following conclusions are made:

The proposed system will ensure to use 100% renewable sources to generate electricity
and encourage using other renewable sources for the different type of power plants.
The storage system of STHPP contributes to save biomass fuel that will increase the
overall efficiency of the plant.
The biomass supported solar thermal hybrid power plant is the optimal operating mode
of electrical energy generation.
The proposed biomass supported STHPP is one of the most important steps of
generating electrical energy for the stable and continuous mode of operation.
The combined operation of biomass and solar thermal plant could be one of the most
important modes to use the solar thermal and biomass power in the future.
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