Performance Improvement and Techno-Economic Optimization of Noor I Solar Power Plant in Morocco Using Various Heat Transfer Fluids

This paper presents a comprehensive evaluation of heat transfer fluid (HTF) performance in concentrated solar power (CSP) systems, focusing on the Noor I CSP plant in Ouarzazate, Morocco. Using the System Advisor Model (SAM) from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), simulations were conducted to assess the thermal and economic performance of traditional and silicone-based HTFs, including Therminol VP-1, Dowtherm A, Helisol 5A, and Helisol XLP. The objective was to identify fluids that enhance both plant efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Validation of two Noor I plant configurations against reported data showed a deviation of only 2.3%, confirming model accuracy. Simulation results revealed that Helisol 5A and Helisol XLP, with superior thermal properties at high temperatures, significantly reduced the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) to 25.72 cents/kWh while boosting annual energy production to 421 GWh. Additionally, optimizing the thermal energy storage duration and HTF flow rates indicated that a 3-hour storage period and 8.1 kg/s flow rate offered the best balance between cost and output. These findings demonstrate the potential of advanced silicone-based HTFs to optimize CSP performance, providing a scalable framework for enhancing solar thermal power plant efficiency globally. The study contributes to the development of CSP technologies by improving thermal management and offering practical strategies for cost-effective energy production.