Feasibility approach of power generation from Solar Thermal Wind Tower: Inclusive impact assessment concerning environmental and economic costs

PREFACE The Solar Thermal Wind Tower (STWT) mimics nature’s wind cycle, utilizing a combination of flat plate solar air collector and central updraft tower to produce thermal wind which drives the turbines to generate... [ view full abstract ]

PREFACE

The Solar Thermal Wind Tower (STWT) mimics nature’s wind cycle, utilizing a combination of flat plate solar air collector and central updraft tower to produce thermal wind which drives the turbines to generate electricity. In this research, we discussed both environmental impact and economic feasibility of different power generating capacities of STWT. Moreover, we discussed the ability and the negative environmental effect of having an offshore STWT as a novel technology. Both the environmental impact and the “triple I” index for STWT system are done for the first time in this research.

RESEARCH APPROACH

The calculations of the output power and the system efficiency have done on 4 different generating capacities, using the analytical model based on the typical dimensions from the past researchers. Environmental disadvantages aspect has been discussed by making CO₂ inventory analysis for the life-cycle of the system. Evaluation of economic feasibility for cost of electricity generation by each power generation capacity of STWT system, by calculating levelized electricity cost (LEC). Inclusive Impact Index (Triple I) estimates whether is good to do the project or not to do, a negative value of the index means this project is sustainable. We discussed the implementation and the potential of constructing offshore STWT.

CONCLUSION

• Comparing with most of the power generation technologies, the system has low negative environmental impact. On the other hand, most of CO₂ emissions are exhausted in the manufacturing stage.
• LEC decreases with the increase of system scale, in short, by enlarging the capacity of the system, the system tends to be economical and feasible comparing with other low-carbon generation technologies.
• The “triple I” index of solar chimney system tends to have negative value by enlarging the capacity above 50 MW, thus, we can consider solar chimney systems a sustainable power generation technology.
• The negative environmental impact increases by offshore technology by about 25% for losing productive sea area, as a first ideation towards a future work of carrying out a feasibility studies on the offshore STWT structures, by the time we can go further and break through the potential of solar energy on the ocean.