Techno-Economic Feasibility Study of a Solar Tower Plant for the Islanded Power System of Baja California Sur

Abstract

Islands or remote electricity systems rely heavily on imported fossil fuels, resulting in expensive costs, adverse environmental impacts, and high supply disruption vulnerability. Innovative solutions that diversify energy sources, enhance grid reliability, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions are necessary. This study explores the techno-economic viability of a proposed Solar Power Tower plant (SPT),  designed for the islanded power system of Baja California Sur (BCS). Utilizing the System Advisor Model, a 50 MWe Solar Tower Plant with molten salt storage is designed and optimized under BCS's climatic conditions. The study's second focus is the financial feasibility, examining the region's electricity prices to ascertain the levelized cost of electricity (LCoE) and the project's net present value under different price scenarios. The study also considers the strategic selection of the site and reviews BCS's current and projected energy needs as well as its solar resource potential. The average price of 20.6 ±6.5 ¢ USD/kWh allows SPT technology to be competitive in the BCS isolated system. A SPT plant of 50 MWe  achieved an LCoE of 13.78 ¢ USD/kWh. The findings contribute valuable insights to the discussion on renewable energy solutions for isolated power systems.

Keywords: CSPSolar TowerSAMBaja California Sur islanded power system