Energy and exergy analysis of solar chimney power plant: A case study

Arid and semi-arid locations, such as Libya, confront substantial hurdles in obtaining consistent and sustainable electricity due to conventional power systems' constraints, which include fuel dependency, high operational expenses, and poor performance in extreme environmental circumstances. This paper addresses this major energy challenge by presenting and analyzing a solar chimney power plant (SCPP) model that is specifically tailored to the meteorological conditions of Libya's Al-Fataih region. The proposed approach takes advantage of the area's high solar irradiation (average of 427.5 W/m2) and ample land availability to generate sustainable energy. We used a full thermodynamic methodology, which included energy and exergy studies. The system design consists of a 250-m chimney, a 1,500 m2 solar collector, and a high-efficiency turbine (eta = 85%). Seasonal simulations with genuine 2024 climate data revealed that the plant has a high mechanical power production of 619.5 kW and an average electrical output of 526.6 kW. The exergy research revealed the chimney and turbine as the key sources of irreversibility, accounting for more than 35% of total exergy annihilation. The study emphasizes the importance of the collector area and chimney height in maximizing performance. These findings demonstrate that SCPPs can perform well in desert settings and give valuable guidance for the design and construction of sustainable energy systems in Libya and other regions.