Análisis técnico y financiero de plantas de concentración solar con tecnología de cilindro parabólico en las Islas Galápagos

Abstract

The use of parabolic trough solar concentrators is an alternative for firm and dispatchable electricity generation, without greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the Galápagos Island, due to the high value of direct normal irradiation (DNI) (average of 6,59 kWh/m2/day). This study focuses on two lines of action: supporting the government initiative "Zero fossil fuels" in Galápagos province, which seeks to eliminate GHG emissions, and at the same time, diversify energy sources for electricity generation. In addition, this work shows that a concentration solar power plants (CSP) with thermal energy storage (TES) provides constant energy and solves the problem of the variability of renewable resources that characterizes wind and photovoltaic technologies. This study considered three places of analysis with high DNI (Baltra, Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal) and a sensitivity analysis was carried out about direct capital costs and thermal storage capacity. Finally, levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) values, annual generation, plant factor, area, and annual water consumption were obtained for the different scenarios, highlighting the best results for the ACC_TES_12 scenario, in which average capital costs (internationals) are considered, and a thermal storage capacity of 12 hours.