Techno-Economic Optimization of Medium Temperature Solar-Driven Subcritical Organic Rankine Cycle

The present work focuses on the techno-economic assessment and multi-objective genetic algorithm optimization of small-scale (40 kWth input), solar Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) systems driven by medium-to-high temperature (up to 210 °C) parabolic dish (PDC) trough (PTC) collectors. ORCs are designed maximize their nominal thermal efficiency for several natural hydrocarbon working fluids. variables field area storage tank capacity, with goal minimizing levelized cost produced electricity (LCoE) maximizing annual conversion efficiency. lowest LCOE (0.34 €/kWh) was obtained in Athens a high low capacity. Meanwhile, maximum efficiencies (10.5–11%) were northern cities (e.g., Brussels) at lower locations. While PTCs PDCs result similar efficiencies, use is more cost-effective. Among fluids, Cyclopentane Cyclohexane exhibited best performance, owing critical temperatures. Notably, could be profitable higher system sizes, as indicated 6% LCoE decrease ORC when heat input increased 80 kWth.