Solar Aided Regenerative Rankine Power Plant:

A Feasible Option for Reducing Greenhouse Gas

Emissions from Existing or New Coal Fired Power Stations
Dr Eric Hu and Con Baziotopoulos
School of Engineering and Technology, Deakin University
Geelong, Victoria 3217
Tel: +61 3 5227 2828, Fax: +61 3 5227 2167
AUSTRALIA
E-mail: erichu@deakin.edu.au

Abstract
Use of solar energy is destined to play a large role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions within the
near and distant future. Although their have been some recent advances in stand alone (solo) solar
energy power generation systems, the efficiencies and costs of these systems are not yet a viable
alternative to todays power generation systems. It is generally accepted that fossil fuels will remain
the major source of power generation for some time, and with energy demands on the increase without
a feasible alternative on the horizon, the question arrises of how to meet these energy demands while
reducing greenhouse gas emissions. While solar energy has potential to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions, thought must be given to the most effective and economical method of utilising solar
energy, in other words maximising its potential. This paper presents a new concept of integrating
solar thermal energy into existing conventional coal fired power stations. By utilising low-grade solar
thermal energy to replace extracted steam in a regenerative Rankine plant, which normally heats the
feedwater to the boiler, the high-grade energy of the steam is preserved to carry out more useful work
within the turbine generator. This results in increased fuel efficiency of the steam plant, thus reducing
greenhouse gas emissions. Also enabling increased power generation capacity at times of greater
demand ie. Summer air-conditioning load. Preliminary studies of a three stage Rankine plant have
shown that up to a 30% increase in work generated can be achieved, at least 5% more power than that
of a solo solar thermal power plant with the same solar energy input. In other words the integrated
system is 5% more efficient than the sum of the two individual systems, and is therefore the most
efficient method of utilising solar thermal energy to date. This novel concept could be adopted
utilising conventional technology and off the shelf equipment with minimum modification to most
existing regenerative Rankine plants, and has the potential to assist the entire power industry to
increase its generation efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

1. Background
The burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity is a major contributor to global warming from the
emissions of greenhouse gases, primarily CO2 . With coal fired power stations the ratio of CO2
emissions to electricity production is extremely high. With fossil fuel power generation set to continue
well into this century, and international Greenhouse gas reduction agreements requiring substantial
decreases in CO2 emissions by the year 2005. Supplying the energy demands of today and the
expected future increases, requires action to be taken now if targets are to be meet. Renewable
energies have potential to assist in CO2 reduction, although the economic viability of most large-scale
renewable energy systems has not yet been confirmed.
Progress toward CO2 reduction by the adaptation of green renewable energies, is currently less than
about 2% of global energy production. With current trends it is forecast to increase to 4-5% by the
year 2020. In general renewable technologies have failed to meet expectations of grid connected
power generation contribution [1][2]. With world energy consumption on the increase, and the

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majority of power generated being produced by fossil fuels, the question arises of how to keep up with
increasing demand, while reducing CO2 emissions.
There are many forms of renewable energy, such as Solar PV, Solar thermal, Wind, Geothermal,
Wave, Hydro, Biomass, and Ocean thermal, all with varying applications, life cycle costs [3] and as
yet undefined environmental impacts. Most of these forms of renewable energy have not been fully
developed for cost effective large-scale electricity generation.
Earlier experimental work involving large scale solar thermal power generation, like the Solar One
project, a 10MWe solar thermal central receiver pilot plant, had shown some promising results, but fell
short of predicted generation output [4]. Currently there are on going improvements in collector
designs, such as: Paraboloidal Solar Concentrators, Solar Fiber-optic Mini-dishes [5] and the Compact
Linear Fresnel Reflector (CLOR) being developed (Mills and Morrison, 2000)[6].
Solar thermal is at present one of the most promising of the renewable technologies, with relatively
high efficiencies (during daylight hours), however stand alone or Solo Solar Thermal electricity
generation plants require complex and expensive methods of thermal energy storage systems to
overcome the variability of supply. An example of this is demonstrated in Luzzi et, al. [7], claiming
viability of a 10MWe solar thermal power plant, that would cost a minimum of $180.5 million to
construct, and an electricity production cost of $0.25/kWh. This would hardly appear viable for such a
capital investment, low generation capacity and high production cost of electricity. Groscurth,
Bruckner and Kummel [8] concluded that emission reduction strategies such as fossil fuel substitution
by CO2 free energy sources (Renewables), would only become economical when energy prices are
higher than at present. This may well be true, but if renewable energy prices can become competitive
with, or supplement fossil fuel energy production, then renewables would attract the attention of
traditional electricity producers.
A system of hybridisation of solar thermal and fossil fuel could provide solutions to some of the
technical and economic problems faced in solo solar thermal power plants. Previous attempts have
thus far not been entirely successful in this respect. The SEGS VIII Solar Power Project in California,
which utilised solar thermal energy coupled with natural gas, did produce a respectable performance
during most summer daylight hours, but cost $230 million to build in 1989 [9].
Another form of hybridisation is the recycling of CO2 for use in coal gasification for a solar/fossil
energy hybrid, it has shown potential but requires further research and development before any
practical applications can be realised [10].
To overcome the problems of thermal energy storage, and fuel switching of hybrid generation systems
Hu (2000) [11] proposed replacing bled steam of a conventional thermal power station, with solar
thermal energy to heat the feed water to the boiler. Claiming a solar to electricity conversion
efficiency of 30%, this figure is at least 5% greater than that which would be expected from a solo
solar thermal power plant.
Earlier work by Ying and Hu (1999) [12], highlighted thermodynamic advantages of utilising lowgrade solar thermal energy to replace the extracted steam to heat the feed water in the regenerative
Rankine power plant. The exergy merit index (EMI) of the exergy hits extremely high values, and is
far superior to the corresponding exergy efficiencies in other power systems, with the same waste heat
source alone, and the aided system can run more efficiently than a conventional regenerative Rankine
plant.

2. Solar Aided Power Generation Technology

The basis of solar aided power generation technology (SAPGT), is to use solar thermal energy to
replace the bled-off steam in regenerative Rankine power cycle. This extracted bled-off steam is
normally used to preheat feed water entering the boiler, it has the effect of increasing the thermal

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efficiency of the cycle, but at a cost of reducing work output of the turbine generator due to reduced
steam mass flow. By utilising solar thermal energy to supply heat to the feed water, thermal efficiency
is maintained, while high- grade energy of the steam is preserved to carry out more useful work within
the turbine generator, or reduction of fuel to the boiler for the same generation capacity. Preliminary
theoretical studies have shown that the technology is capable of assisting coal fired power stations
increase their efficiency by 2 to 32%, ie. a reduction of its green house gas emissions within the same
range.
SAPGT has the advantage of utilising the existing infrastructure of conventional power stations, while
providing a higher solar to electricity conversion than stand alone solar power stations. With a
relatively low implementation cost, social, environmental and economic benefits become a reality.

BOILER

HP

IP

LP
G

GENERATOR
500 MWe
REHEATER
DESUPERHEATER

CONDENSER
CONTROL
VALVE

AEP

D E

DC

HPH2

DEAERATOR

CEP

BFP

HPH1

LPH3

LPH2

LPH1

GSC
D

CONTROL
VALVE

HDP

SOLAR INPUT

Figure 1. Schematic diagram of a typical brown coal fired power generation cycle (with solar
input at HPH1).

3. Brown Coal Case Study

From the preliminary studies based on a typical 500MWe brown coal fired power generation unit (in
Latrobe Valley, Victoria), shown in Fig. 1, it has been determined that if all the feed heaters could be
supplemented with solar thermal energy, that up to 250MWth could be saved during daylight hours.
This would be equivalent to approximately 80MWe, representing a fuel saving and a corresponding
CO2 reduction of at least 16% during this time. This could also be seen as 80MWe increase in
generation capacity, without any further increase in fuel consumption or CO2 emissions.

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To totally replace all the feed heaters (ie. supply 250MW heat from solar), under the Victorian climate
condition, would require minimum of 700,000 m2 of solar collector area. In addition the collectors are
required across large temperature range (from 50 o C 280 o C). So for that particular power station
(unit), using solar SAPGT to supplement 1 or 2 feed heaters may be more practicable. For example,
fully supplementing High Pressure Feed Heater No. 1 (HPH1), with solar thermal energy would result
in an additional 22MWe being generated. In this way, the solar thermal energy (at 250o C level) to
electricity conversion efficiency is about 32%, with a 170,000 m2 of solar collector area required.
For immediate application or pilot test of the concept, a 20% replacement of bled off steam to HPH1
by solar thermal energy may be a real feasible scenario. In this case, a 30,000 m2 of solar collectors
will have the capacity to generate 4-5 MWe. With the total capital investment of about $5M, the cost
for the CO2 emission avoidance is just $83/t, for 10 years assumed lifetime.

4. Conclusions
Preliminary technical and economic feasibility studies have been carried out comparing the latest
technology of stand-alone solar power stations with solar aided power generation technology
(SAPGT). It has been found that the solar aided power generation technology concept is the most
efficient method of utilising low-grade solar thermal energy, both technically and economically. Also
the inherit variability of power output from stand-alone solar power stations is overcome without the
need for elaborate and impractical energy storage facilities.
The cost of implementing such a system would remain relatively low, as existing infrastructure of a
conventional power station would be utilised. Savings in fuel, which would be directly proportional to
CO2 reductions, and increased generation capacity, make this option attractive to current energy
producers. The detailed feasibility assessment software is being developed by the authors, which will
be capable of reporting the technical and economic feasibility of the solar aided concept for various
power stations within various locations.

5. Acknowledgments
The authors would like to take the opportunity to thank the Loy Yang Power, the SPIRT program of
DETYA, Australia and the International Collaboration Program of Yunnan Provincial Council of
Science and Technology, China for their support of the project.

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[1] Zahedi A., RENWABLE ENERGY SOURCES AND TECHNOLOGIES; CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE
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RENEWABLE ENERGY PERFORMED AS EXPECTED? Solar energy Vol68, No.3, pp. 237-255, 2000.
[3] Fisher F., A CRITICAL BACKGROUND BRIEFING TO THE C21st ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY, Appendix to From
Fossils to Renewables: a Solar, Wind & Water Industry Plan, 1999.
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THERMAL CENTRAL RECIEVER PILOT PLANT1 Journal of Solar energy Engineering, 111(May) 1989, pp. 144151.
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[7] Luzzi A., Lovegrove K., Filippi E., Fricker H., Schmitz-Geob M., Chandapillai M. and Kaneff S. TECHNOECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF A 10MWE SOLAR THERMAL POWER PLANT USING AMMONIA BASED
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