Browsing by Author "Arias, Ignacio"

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    An in-depth system-level assessment of green hydrogen production by coupling solid oxide electrolysis and solar thermal systems
    (2025) Arias, Ignacio; Castillejo Cuberos, Armando; Battisti, Felipe G.; Romero Ramos, J.A.; Pérez, Manuel; González Portillo, L.F.; Valenzuela, Loreto; Cardemil Iglesias, José Miguel; Escobar, Rodrigo
    This study presents a comprehensive techno-economic analysis of green hydrogen production utilizing a third-generation Concentrated Solar Power system integrated with Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells, examining system configurations under variable climatic conditions in Chile and Spain. By employing dynamic simulation models that consider hourly and sub-hourly datasets, the research assesses the impact of solar irradiance variability on hydrogen production efficiency. The integration approach explores the efficacy of utilizing high-temperature solar power-derived heat for enhanced electrolysis operation, highlighting the critical influence of solar resource quality and data temporal resolution in system performance. Several scenarios involving different solar multiples, thermal energy storage capacities, and electrolyzer sizes were analyzed to identify their effects on the Levelized Cost of Hydrogen. The economic analysis reveals that this cost is notably sensitive to operational parameters and system configurations, suggesting that optimal integration and scaling of solar power and electrolysis technologies could significantly reduce hydrogen production costs. The findings underscore the need for targeted energy policies and investments in renewable technologies to support cost-effective hydrogen production, promoting future research focusing on advanced materials for electrolysis cells and improved system integration strategies. This work enhances the understanding of integrating advanced solar thermal and electrolysis technologies, providing a robust framework for advancing global sustainable energy solutions.
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    Annual performance of a calcium looping thermochemical energy storage with sCO2 Brayton cycle in a solar power tower
    (2025) Nieto Carate, Freddy Mauricio; de la Calle, Alberto; Arias, Ignacio; Cardemil Iglesias, José Miguel; Bayon, Alicia; Escobar, Rodrigo
    This study presents a techno-economic assessment of a novel concentrated solar power plant configuration integrating a calcium-looping thermochemical energy storage system with a supercritical CO2 Brayton cycle. The system enhances dispatchability and efficiency in solar power tower plants through high-temperature thermal storage and flexible operation. The proposed configuration features a polar heliostat field, a central receiver acting as a calciner, and separate storage for CaO and CO2. Dynamic simulations developed in OpenModelica, with Python-based control, evaluate the system under realistic and time-dependent solar profiles. Results demonstrate that replacing molten salt with TCES-CaL enables a more compact solar field, reduces parasitic losses, and improves thermal integration. The optimal configuration, with a solar multiple of 2.6 and 24 hours of storage capacity, achieves a plant efficiency of 39.0% and reduces the levelized cost of energy by 8.5% compared to a molten salt-based reference system. This work highlights the role of storage capacity and concentration factor in maximizing energy yield and economic performance. The integration of TCES-CaL with a sCO2 power cycle shows strong potential for large-scale CSP deployment, providing high efficiency, improved dispatchability, and cost competitiveness. These results contribute to advancing CSP technologies aligned with decarbonization targets and support the integration of thermal energy storage systems at the grid level for future sustainable energy systems.
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    Modeling and Hourly Time-Scale Characterization of the Main Energy Parameters of Parabolic-Trough Solar Thermal Power Plants Using a Simplified Quasi-Dynamic Model
    (2021) Arias, Ignacio; Zarza, Eduardo; Valenzuela, Loreto; Perez-Garcia, Manuel; Romero Ramos, Jose Alfonso; Escobar, Rodrigo
    A simplified mathematical model of parabolic-trough solar thermal power plants, which allow one to carry out an energetic characterization of the main thermal parameters that influence the solar field performance, was evaluated through a comparison of simulation results. Two geographical locations were selected to evaluate the mathematical model proposed in this work-one in each hemisphere-and design considerations according with the practical/operational experience were taken. Furthermore, independent simulations were performed using the System Advisor Model (SAM) software, their results were compared with those obtained by the simplified model. According with the above, the mathematical model allows one to carry out simulations with a high degree of flexibility and adaptability, in which the equations that allow the plant to be energetically characterized are composed of a series of logical conditions that help identify boundary conditions between dawn and sunset, direct normal irradiance transients, and when the thermal energy storage system must compensate the solar field energy deficits to maintain the full load operation of the plant. Due to the above, the developed model allows one to obtain satisfactory simulation results; referring to the net electric power production, this model provides results in both hemispheres with a relative percentage error in the range of [0.28-8.38%] compared with the results obtained with the SAM, with mean square values of 4.57% and 4.21% for sites 1 and 2, respectively.