Exergy analysis of concentrating solar systems for heat and power production

The results show an optimum utilization field for each configuration. The use of a heat generator operating in parallel with the ORC unit is the only suitable solution for supplying high-pressure steam while its placement downstream of the ORC unit is appropriate for low-pressure steam and high power-to-heat ratios. The use of the ORC waste heat is an interesting option for the hot water production but it requires the full use of available heat to avoid significant exergy degradations.