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Design and evaluation of a sustainable solar based combined cycle for multi-output generation in UAE
Alkhadar, Hamda Ali
Alkhadar, Hamda Ali
Date
2023-04
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Type
Thesis
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Description
A Master of Science thesis in Mechanical Engineering by Hamda Ali Alkhadar entitled, “Design and evaluation of a sustainable solar based combined cycle for multi-output generation in UAE”, submitted in April 2023. Thesis advisor is Dr. Mohammad O. Hamdan and thesis co-advisor is Dr. Sameer Al-Asheh. Soft copy is available (Thesis, Completion Certificate, Approval Signatures, and AUS Archives Consent Form).
Abstract
This thesis aims to design a sustainable solar-based combined power cycle integrated with subsystems to produce multiple outputs, such as potable water, power output, and hydrogen gas for the UAE. For this purpose, a thermo-economic comparative analysis involving two proposed integrated systems is performed. The thermo-economics comparative analysis is employed to determine the best proposed system with the highest performance while it is economically competitive. In this thesis, solar tower (ST) technology is selected since it has been well developed as compared with other concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies. The study offers integrated systems that are capable of producing the required power and water outputs that satisfies the country needs and are aligned with the 2050 UAE energy strategy. The main target of this strategy is to increase the solar energy share to reach 44% of power generation in the UAE. The first proposed system consists of SOFC with a combined cycle, and two water desalination technologies (reverse osmosis (RO) and multi-effect desalination (MED)). The second proposed system consists of ST with combined cycle, solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), and two water desalination technologies (RO and MED). The main outcome of this thesis is to produce a reliable detailed thermo-economics analysis that allows selecting the optimum system as well as modes of operation. The expected power capacity for the first proposed system exceeds 380 MW, while water production is around 18000 𝑚ᵌ/day. Whereas the expected power capacity for second proposal exceeds 420 MW, while water production is around 15000 𝑚ᵌ/day. The levelized costs of electricity and water are determined using the life-cycle assessment. The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), water by RO (LCOW/RO), and water by MED (LCOW/MED for the first system without integrating solar energy are $ 0.11/kwh, $ 0.383/ 𝑚ᵌ and $ 0.25/𝑚ᵌ. However, the LCOE, LCOW/RO, and LCOW/MED for the second system with integrating the solar are $ 0.135/kwh, $ 0.383/mᵌ and $ 0.14/𝑚ᵌ.