 Power analysis energy flow rate and costs

The Kuraymat power plant in Egypt is a hybrid power plant consisting of a 150 MW combined
cycle power plant and a 20 MW solar power plant (CSP). The CSP plant uses parabolic troughs to
concentrate sunlight and heat a heat transfer fluid (HTF), which is then used to generate steam
and drive a steam turbine. A combined cycle power plant uses natural gas as a fuel source to
drive a gas turbine, which in turn drives a steam turbine.

Efficiency of each component:

Parabolic collectors: The Kuraymat CSP system uses parabolic collectors to concentrate sunlight
and HTF heat. The parabolic troughs have a total length of about 1.4 km and a total area of
130,000 m². The collectors have a thermal efficiency of approx. 70%.

HTF (Heat Transfer Fluid) system: Kuraymat's HTF is a synthetic oil that is heated to around 400
°C by parabolic collectors. The heated HTF is then used to generate steam in a heat exchanger.
Steam Turbine

: The Kuraymat steam turbine has a capacity of 20 MW and is powered by steam generated by
the CSP power plant. A steam turbine has an efficiency of about 38%.

Combined Cycle Power Plant: The Kuraymat Combined Cycle Power Plant uses natural gas as a
fuel source to drive a gas turbine, which in turn drives a steam turbine. The gas-steam power
plant has an output of 150 MW and an efficiency of around 55%.

Electricity Production:
The Kuraymat CSP power plant has a solar multiplier of 1.3, which means that for every MW of
electricity produced, it produces 1.3 MW of thermal energy supplied by the sun. The CSP plant
produces around 90 GWh of electricity per year, which corresponds to an average output of
around 10.3 MW.

The gas-steam power plant produces around 1,050 GWh of electricity per year, which
corresponds to an average output of around 120 MW.

Total Cost:
The total cost of the Kuraymat implant was approximately $400 million, with the CSP implant
accounting for approximately $170 million of the total cost. The cost of the CSP installation
includes the cost of the parabolic trough, HTF system, steam turbine and heat exchanger.

The cost of natural gas used in a combined cycle power plant is not disclosed but is likely to
represent a significant portion of the total cost of ownership of the plant. Other operating costs
include maintenance and labor costs.
 In summary, the Kuraymat power plant in Egypt is a hybrid power plant consisting of a 150 MW
combined cycle power plant and a 20 MW solar power plant (Concentrated Solar Power Plant,
CSP). The efficiency of each element of the system, the energy yield and the total cost of the
system are described. The CSP power plant produces about 90 GWh of electricity per year, while
the combined cycle power plant produces about 1,050 GWh of electricity per year. The total cost
of the plant was approximately $400 million, with the CSP plant accounting for approximately
$170 million of the total cost.

 Calculations

1. Parabolic collectors:
Kuraymat parabolic collectors have a total length of approx. 1.4 km and a total area of 130,000
m². The collectors have a thermal efficiency of approx. 70%. Assuming solar irradiance of 800
W/m² and an average operating temperature of 350°C, the heating output of a CSP system is
calculated as follows:

thermal power output = solar irradiance x collector area x collector efficiency

thermal power output = 800 W/m² x 130,000 m² x 0.70
thermal power = 72.8 MW

2. Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF) System

: HTF from Kurayamat is a synthetic oil that is heated to approx. 400 °C by parabolic troughs.
The heated HTF is then used to generate steam in a heat exchanger. Assuming a mass flow of
250 kg/s and a specific heat of 2.5 kJ/kg°C, the heat capacity of the HTF system can be calculated
as follows:

thermal power output = mass flow rate x specific heat x temperature rise
thermal power heat = 250 kg/s x 2.5 kJ/kg°C x 400°C
Thermal power output = 250 MW

3. Steam turbine:
The Kuraymat steam turbine has a capacity of 20 MW and is powered by steam generated by
the CSP plant. Assuming a steam flow rate of 40 kg/s and an inlet pressure of 45 bar, the thermal
efficiency of the steam turbine can be calculated as follows:

thermal efficiency = (power / heat input) x 100%

thermal efficiency = ( 20 MW / ( 40 kg/s x 45 bar x 0.001 kJ/kg bar)) x 100%
Thermal efficiency = 38.1%
 4. Combined Cycle Power Plant:
Kuraymat Combined Cycle Power Plant uses natural gas as a gas turbine source, which in turn
drives a steam turbine. Assuming 50% energy efficiency and 55% overall thermal efficiency, the
electricity and fuel consumption of a combined cycle power plant can be calculated as follows:

power output = 150 MW x 0.55

Power Output = 82.5 MW

Fuel Consumption = Power Output / Fuel Efficiency

Fuel Consumption = 82.5 MW / 0.50
Fuel Consumption = 165 MW

5. Energy Flow Rate:

The CSP plant at Kuraymat has a solar multiple of 1.3, which means that for every MW of
electricity generated, there is 1.3 MW of thermal energy input from the sun. Assuming a solar-
to-electric conversion efficiency of 20%, the energy flow rate of the CSP plant can be calculated
as follows:

Energy Flow Rate = Electrical Power Output / Solar-to-Electric Conversion Efficiency / Solar
Multiple
Energy Flow Rate = 20 MW / 0.20 / 1.3
Energy Flow Rate = 76.9 MW

The combined cycle power plant generates around 1,050 GWh of electricity per year, which is
equivalent to an average power output of around 120 MW.

6. Total Cost:

The total cost of the Kuraymat Power Plant was approximately $400 million, with the CSP plant
accounting for around $170 million of the total cost. The cost of the natural gas used in the
combined cycle power plant is not publicly available, but it is likely a significant portion of the
total operating cost of the power plant.

 HTF alternative

the Kuraymat power plant in Egypt is currently using synthetic oil as the heat transfer fluid (HTF)
in its concentrated solar power plant (CSP). However, molten salts can be used as an HTF
alternative, which can result in higher power production and reduced operating costs.

Molten salts have higher heat capacity and thermal conductivity than synthetic oils, allowing
them to store more thermal energy and operate at higher temperatures. This in turn results in
more efficient power generation, which can increase power generation and reduce operating
 costs. Molten salts can also be recycled and reused, reducing operating costs and improving the
plant's environmental footprint.

Another benefit of using molten salts such as HTF is that they have a wider operating
temperature range than synthetic oils. This allows for greater flexibility in the design and
operation of the CSP plant as the plant can operate at higher temperatures and achieve higher
energy conversion efficiencies.

Although the use of molten salts such as HTF has many advantages, it also requires system
design changes, including the addition of thermal storage tanks and specialized heat pumps and
heat exchangers. These modifications can increase the initial capital cost of the plant, but
increased power production and reduced operating costs can offset these costs over the life of
the plant.

Overall, using molten salts such as HTF can increase power generation and reduce operating
costs of the Kuraymat power plant. However, the decision to switch to molten salts depends on
several factors, including fluid availability and cost, the feasibility of plant design changes, and
specific plant needs and requirements.

 Fuel alternative

The Kuraymat power plant in Egypt currently uses natural gas as a fuel source for its combined cycle
power plant. Natural gas is a relatively cheap and plentiful fuel and produces fewer emissions than other
fossil fuels such as coal and oil. However, there are other fuels that can be used to increase energy
production and reduce costs.

A potential fuel source is biogas, which is produced from the decomposition of organic materials such
as agricultural waste, food waste and sewage. Biogas is a renewable and sustainable fuel source and
produces fewer emissions than natural gas. In addition, biogas can be produced locally, which can reduce
transport costs.

Another potential energy source is hydrogen, which can be produced from renewable energy sources
such as solar and wind power. Hydrogen is a clean-burning fuel with only water vapor as a by-product. It
can also be produced locally, reducing transportation costs.

Finally, waste heat from industrial processes can also be used as a fuel source for the Kuraymat power
plant. Waste heat recovery can be used to capture the heat generated in industrial processes such as
steel making, cement making and chemical processing. This waste heat can then be used to generate
steam, which drives turbines and generates electricity.
 The use of alternative fuels such as biogas, hydrogen and waste heat can help increase energy
production at the Kuraymat power plant, reduce costs and reduce environmental impact. However, the
choice of fuel source depends on several factors, including availability, cost, and feasibility of
implementation, and would require changes in plant design and operation.