Performance evaluation of a thermodynamic solar power plant: fifteen yearsof operation history

The thermodynamic solar power plant of the National Institute for Scientifi c Research in Tunisia has been in operation since 1984. The plant served as a pilot unit for exploring the technical reliability and evaluating the ec onomic feasibility of the process of converting solar thermal energy into e lectricity. This paper consists of a close evaluation and analysis of the l ong-term performance of the system and a review of 15 years of successful o peration. The aim of this study was to go over the main problems and techni cal difficulties encountered and pinpoint the major factors affecting the p lant operation in order to identify the optimal operating policies toward t he enhancement of the plant efficiency. Even though the thermal performance of the plant was relatively low, the impact of such a plant on the energy sector of the country was significant in terms of energy saving and environ mental protection. In regions with high solar radiation such as Tunisia wit h a daily mean insolation of 4.8 kWh m(-2), the use of solar power plants - similar to this one - essentially for heat production prove to be a good a lternative especially for remote and rural areas. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.