mpact of chimney design on maximum velocity in SCPPs

A critical review

Abstract

Solar chimney power plants (SCs) are sustainable solar energy systems that offer the opportunity to generate electricity from the sun, which is a clean energy source. The system is remarkable with its simple structure consisting of a collector, chimney, and turbine and its operating principle based on basic physical laws. It transfers the solar radiation it receives to the system air in its structure with its semi-transparent collector, then upward air movement is observed depending on the density difference. The vacuum effect of the chimney, which is in the collector centre and creates a constant pressure difference due to its height, accelerates and discharges the upward moving system air. Meanwhile, the turbine inside the chimney uses the kinetic energy of the system air to generate electricity. The system is affected by climatic and geometric parameters. After addressing the operating principle of the system in this study, a perspective is presented from the studies in the literature regarding the height, diameter, and design of the chimney, which is one of the structural elements. In particular, the effect on the system power output is evaluated and performance estimates are made for the potential plants to be established. Comparative details are presented from the analyses made for the Manzanares pilot plant, and a basis is created for subsequent studies.