Analysis and feasibility of implementing solar chimney power plants in the Mediterranean region

• Published in: Energy (Oxford) Vol. 33; no. 11; pp. 1680 - 1690
• Main Authors: Nizetic, S., Ninic, N., Klarin, B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2008; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Economic data; Electric energy; Electric output; Energy; Energy economics; Exact sciences and technology; General, economic and professional studies; Levelized electricity cost; Mediterranean region; Natural energy; Solar chimney; Solar collectors; Solar energy; Solar thermal conversion; Electric output; Solar chimney; Mediterranean region; Levelized electricity cost; Performance evaluation; Electric power plant; Solar collector; Solar energy; Technicoeconomic study; Feasibility; Electric power production; Chimney
• ISSN: 0360-5442
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2008.05.012

This paper analyzes the feasibility of solar chimney power plants as an environmentally acceptable energy source for small settlements and islands of countries in the Mediterranean region. For the purpose of these analyses, two characteristic geographic locations (Split and Dubrovnik) in Croatia were chosen and simplified model for calculation of produced electric power output is also developed. These locations possess typical characteristics of the Mediterranean climate. The solar characteristics of the chosen geographic locations are shown along with characteristic meteorological data. A solar chimney (SC) power plant with a chimney height of 550 m and a collector roof diameter of 1250 m would produce 2.8–6.2 MW of power. The average annual electric power production of this SC power plant would range between 4.9 and 8.9 GWh/year, but in reality from 5.0 to 6.0 GWh/year in average. An approximate costs analysis, which included a total investment estimate, was performed. The levelized electricity cost was also calculated. It is found that the price of produced electric energy by solar chimney power plant in Mediterranean region is considerably higher compared to the other power sources.