The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has engaged in a supplemental research project examining the experiences and lessons learned at the state-of-the-art Archimede concentrating solar power (CSP) plant. Enel developed Archimede with the goal of demonstrating, on an industrial scale, parabolic trough collectors operating with molten salt working fluid and direct thermal energy storage (TES) integrated into a combined cycle plant using high-temperature steam.
To expand on the knowledge gained from this project, a techno-economic analysis of integrated solar combined cycle (ISCC) plants was conducted to evaluate the impacts of utilizing parabolic trough CSP technology with a traditional molten salt heat transfer fluid and an alternate lithium-based molten salt with a lower freezing temperature, compared to ISCCs with traditional synthetic oil working fluids. The effect of TES, both with and without time-of-day rates, was also evaluated.