Modelling of a new CSP dish systemwith PCM storage in a Modelicaenvironment

Abstract: The highest solar to electricity efficiency ever registered for CSP technologies has been obtained using a Dish Stirling System. The lack of a proper dispatchability, however, has overshadowed this technology with respect to the other CSP systems, making it compete directly with the cheaper PV. The integration of a storage system could play a very important role in its evolution. The aim of this thesis work is the evaluation of the economic feasibility of a new Dish Stirling concept coupled with a PCM storage developed by the company Cleanergy. Two different Modelica models of the storage have been developed and the effect of the PCM block aspect ratio on the system efficiency has been studied. The economic analysis based on the developed models shows promising results (LCOE around 75€/MWh and IRR around 5.5% for the Woomera case study) that are highly dependent on the location selection and on the adopted tariff scheme.