CSP + PV hybrid solar plants for power and water cogeneration in northern Chile

Abstract The integration between solar energy and seawater desalination is an interesting option in northern Chile due to a high solar potential in the Atacama Desert, where most of the mining operations are located. This industry is intensive in electricity and water consumption; therefore, there is an ideal market opportunity. The CSP + PV plant has the benefits of reduce costs, increase capacity factor and offer high dispatchability, while the integration of a MED plant presents the advantage of using the waste heat. A CSP + PV + MED plant model was performed in TRNSYS implementing a dispatch strategy that prioritize PV output and minimize the turbine shutdowns. The results show that a CSP + PV + MED plant presents a capacity factor 7.6% lower than CSP + PV plant. Regarding the operation of the turbine and the MED plant, the configurations that maximize the operating hours also maximize the performance at partial load, obtaining different PV capacities for the maximum operation hours of the turbine and MED plant. For the CSP + PV + MED plant, different CSP and PV plant configuration between optimal or suboptimal were found to minimize the LCOE and LWC. Also, the best combination between LCOE and LWC is achieved with a CSP close to optimal configuration and suboptimal PV.