AERES: Thermodynamic and Economic Optimization Software for Hybrid Solar–Waste Heat Systems

Heliothermic technologies are affected by their low density, intermittence and economic competitiveness. Hybrid solar–waste heat power systems can increase plant conversion efficiency generation while reducing intermittence. This study focused on the development of software (AERES) to economically optimize hybrid in terms technology selection, sizing, operating conditions block characteristics. The considered for algorithm selection were (i) exchangers that recover a wide range waste sources, (ii) non-concentrating concentrating solar collectors (a flat plate, an evacuated tube, linear Fresnel parabolic trough), (iii) organic Rankine cycle blocks (iv) storage tanks (direct thermal systems). last two represented surrogate models so large number decision variables could be optimized simultaneously. optimization local climate hourly provide irradiation, temperature wind speed. case studies indicated ORCs recovery competitive, reaching internal rates return (IRRs) 44%, 39% 34% 50 MWt at 350 °C, 300 °C 250 respectively. On other hand, heliothermic not selected provided non-competitive results analyzed cases.