The Exergo-Economic and Environmental Evaluation of a Hybrid Solar–Natural Gas Power System in Kirkuk

The increasing environmental challenges posed by the widespread use of fossil fuels and the fluctuating nature of renewable energy have driven the need for more efficient and sustainable energy solutions. Current research is actively exploring hybrid energy systems as a means to address these issues...

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Main Authors: Ali Alfaris, Abdulrazzak Akroot, Emrah Deniz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/22/10113
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author Ali Alfaris
Abdulrazzak Akroot
Emrah Deniz
author_facet Ali Alfaris
Abdulrazzak Akroot
Emrah Deniz
author_sort Ali Alfaris
collection DOAJ
description The increasing environmental challenges posed by the widespread use of fossil fuels and the fluctuating nature of renewable energy have driven the need for more efficient and sustainable energy solutions. Current research is actively exploring hybrid energy systems as a means to address these issues. One such area of focus is the integration of Organic Rankine Cycles (ORCs) with gas and steam turbines, utilizing both natural gas (NG) and solar parabolic trough collectors (PTCs) as energy sources. This study examines the performance of a hybrid system implemented in Kirkuk, Iraq, a region known for its substantial solar radiation. Previous research has shown that hybrid systems can effectively enhance energy conversion efficiency and reduce environmental impacts, but there is still a need to assess the specific benefits of such systems in different geographical and operational contexts. The analysis reveals a thermal efficiency of 59.32% and an exergy efficiency of 57.28%. The exergoeconomic analysis highlights the optimal energy cost at USD 71.93/MWh when the compressor pressure ratio is set to 8 bar. The environmental assessment demonstrates a significant reduction in <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><msub><mrow><mi mathvariant="normal">C</mi><mi mathvariant="normal">O</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>2</mn></mrow></msub></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>/emissions, with a carbon footprint of 316.3 kg <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><msub><mrow><mi mathvariant="normal">C</mi><mi mathvariant="normal">O</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>2</mn></mrow></msub></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>/MWh at higher compressor pressure ratios. These results suggest that integrating solar energy with natural gas can substantially improve electricity generation while being both cost-effective and environmentally sustainable.
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spelling doaj-art-101aca87fec04e4eb44ca946b1a341582025-08-20T02:26:54ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172024-11-0114221011310.3390/app142210113The Exergo-Economic and Environmental Evaluation of a Hybrid Solar–Natural Gas Power System in KirkukAli Alfaris0Abdulrazzak Akroot1Emrah Deniz2Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Karabük University, 78050 Karabük, TurkeyDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Karabük University, 78050 Karabük, TurkeyDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Karabük University, 78050 Karabük, TurkeyThe increasing environmental challenges posed by the widespread use of fossil fuels and the fluctuating nature of renewable energy have driven the need for more efficient and sustainable energy solutions. Current research is actively exploring hybrid energy systems as a means to address these issues. One such area of focus is the integration of Organic Rankine Cycles (ORCs) with gas and steam turbines, utilizing both natural gas (NG) and solar parabolic trough collectors (PTCs) as energy sources. This study examines the performance of a hybrid system implemented in Kirkuk, Iraq, a region known for its substantial solar radiation. Previous research has shown that hybrid systems can effectively enhance energy conversion efficiency and reduce environmental impacts, but there is still a need to assess the specific benefits of such systems in different geographical and operational contexts. The analysis reveals a thermal efficiency of 59.32% and an exergy efficiency of 57.28%. The exergoeconomic analysis highlights the optimal energy cost at USD 71.93/MWh when the compressor pressure ratio is set to 8 bar. The environmental assessment demonstrates a significant reduction in <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><msub><mrow><mi mathvariant="normal">C</mi><mi mathvariant="normal">O</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>2</mn></mrow></msub></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>/emissions, with a carbon footprint of 316.3 kg <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><msub><mrow><mi mathvariant="normal">C</mi><mi mathvariant="normal">O</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>2</mn></mrow></msub></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>/MWh at higher compressor pressure ratios. These results suggest that integrating solar energy with natural gas can substantially improve electricity generation while being both cost-effective and environmentally sustainable.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/22/10113renewable energy integrationKirkuk power plantexergoeconomic analysiscarbon dioxide emissionshybrid power system
spellingShingle Ali Alfaris
Abdulrazzak Akroot
Emrah Deniz
The Exergo-Economic and Environmental Evaluation of a Hybrid Solar–Natural Gas Power System in Kirkuk
Applied Sciences
renewable energy integration
Kirkuk power plant
exergoeconomic analysis
carbon dioxide emissions
hybrid power system
title The Exergo-Economic and Environmental Evaluation of a Hybrid Solar–Natural Gas Power System in Kirkuk
title_full The Exergo-Economic and Environmental Evaluation of a Hybrid Solar–Natural Gas Power System in Kirkuk
title_fullStr The Exergo-Economic and Environmental Evaluation of a Hybrid Solar–Natural Gas Power System in Kirkuk
title_full_unstemmed The Exergo-Economic and Environmental Evaluation of a Hybrid Solar–Natural Gas Power System in Kirkuk
title_short The Exergo-Economic and Environmental Evaluation of a Hybrid Solar–Natural Gas Power System in Kirkuk
title_sort exergo economic and environmental evaluation of a hybrid solar natural gas power system in kirkuk
topic renewable energy integration
Kirkuk power plant
exergoeconomic analysis
carbon dioxide emissions
hybrid power system
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/22/10113
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