Enhancing the Efficiency of a Gas Turbine Through the Integration of Solar Heat : A Case Study of Tashkent CHP

Abstract

Solar power is currently a widely recognized energy source that has gained significant attention from numerous countries. Over time, two predominant solar technologies have emerged internationally: solar photovoltaics and solar thermal power. In the case of solar photovoltaics, sunlight is directly converted into electricity. However, despite advancements in thin-film solar photovoltaics, they still exhibit lower electricity output due to the uncontrollable and highly variable nature of rapidly changing weather conditions. Solar thermal power, on the other hand, harnesses solar heat in power plants to generate electricity. However, this type of power generation faces similar challenges. The lack of high-capacity thermal storage contributes to its inherent unpredictability and variability. In the coming years, the solar thermal power industry in Uzbekistan should prioritize harnessing the unique advantages offered by the combination of hybridization and thermal energy storage. With decreasing costs and the increasing adoption of renewable energies, solar thermal power plants have the capability to provide dispatchable power, making them highly suitable for a pivotal role in a future energy grid primarily powered by renewable sources.