Analytical Study of an Innovated Solar Power Tower (PS10) in Aswan

The city of Aswan, located at the south of Egypt, is characterized by a very high level of solar density. The Solar Power Plant (SPT) technology using the Concentrated Solar Power Plant (CSP) is expected to soon enter the renewable energy field in Egypt. Fortunately, considerable amount of information about the PS10, which is a commercial SPT of power 11 MW are available for performing considerable attractive analysis. A comparative performance analysis is developed between the existing PS10 in Sanlúcar la Mayor- Spain, and a modified one of similar specifications located in Aswan. In this study, the PS10 Solar Power Tower systems (SPT) design-layout is revised to suit the solar data in Aswan. Accordingly, the location of each heliostat is reviewed, analysed and modified. The solar irradiance model and sunshine duration (solar hours) of the existing plant in Spain are compared to those in Aswan. The study includes optical and geometric analysis of both SPTs. The annual average efficiency and SPT performance values in the existing and intended power stations are compared. Suitable modifications are introduced in the SP10 to fit the conditions in Aswan according to the innovated field of the heliostats. The main objective of this study is to find the relative advantage of installation of the CSPs in Aswan compared to the other locations in the world. The innovated model of PS10 in Aswan is believed to be more promising than that of the original one in Spain.