Perspectives for mini-scale ORCpower plants coupled with internal combustion engines in the European Union

Abstract: The ideal energy production and delivery system is featured by less transmission network, smarter grid and higher proportion of locally dispersed renewables in cooperation with combined heat and power (CHP) plants and energy storage. The Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) technology can play a compelling role in achieving the listed objectives. ORCs are widely considered as a promising technology to produce electrical power output from low-grade thermal sources. In the last decade, several ORC power plants have been installed worldwide in the MW-size range. However, despite their market potential, the commercialization of ORC systems in the kW range did not reach a high level of maturity due to relatively high unit costs. This thesis presents the technology, the current and future market analysis, the policy environment in the European Union and evaluates four theoretical case studies for plausible mini-scale ORC power plants at different locations, utilizing specific sources of waste heat.