Thermo-economic analysis of conventional combined cycle hybridization: United Arab Emirates case study

• Thermo-economic optimization of a conventional combined cycle is accomplished.
• Hybridization of an already existing combined cycle power plant is investigated.
• Thermo-economic analysis is conducted by employing different evaluation approaches.
• Effects of different heliostat field design variables are investigated.

Extensive investigations have been conducted to find a replacement for fossil fuels and natural gases in power generation industries. Solar energy is one of the most promising solution to a more environmentally friendly power production technology. In particular, concentrated solar power technologies are displaying significant potential for electricity production. United Arab Emirates hot and sunny climate is an indication of the great potential it possesses for hybrid and solar only power plant implementation. In this paper, power plant hybridization feasibility in the United Arab Emirates is taken under extensive investigation. Moreover, a thermo-economic optimization is performed for the installment of a new 50 MWe hybrid conventional combined cycle power plant in the United Arab Emirates. In addition, hybridization of an already existing conventional combined cycle power plant is comprehensively investigated by utilizing levelized cost of electricity, payback period, life cycle saving, and net present value approaches. The hybrid conventional combined cycle power plant optimum levelized cost of electricity and net present value are 77.7 US$/MWh and −34.918 MUS$, respectively. Additionally, the plant solar share and specific carbon dioxide emission are 8.87% and 371.9 kgCO2/MWh, respectively.