Enhancing thermo-aerodynamic performance of solar chimney power plants

Abstract Renewable energy technologies, including Solar Chimney Power Plants (SCPP), harness natural resources to produce clean energy. SCPPs use solar energy to heat air, generating an upward flow that drives turbines to produce electricity. This study, conducted at the University of Ouargla, Algeria, explores design improvements to enhance SCPP performance. The study found that a collector opening height of 0.05 m provided the highest efficiency, achieving an air velocity of 5.8 m s −1 and a maximum collector temperature of 68.3 °C, with a temperature difference of 51.2 °C relative to the ambient air. In comparison, opening heights of 0.15 m and 0.20 m resulted in lower airflow velocities of 4.2 m s −1 and 3.8 m s −1 , respectively, causing heat loss. The use of a curved junction between the collector and chimney improved airflow, reaching 6.7 m s −1 at the chimney entrance, outperforming straight junctions. Incorporating an air guide further enhanced airflow, with a peak velocity of 6.7 m s −1 for a guide height of 1.0 m. The innovative helical collector design extended the airflow path to 10 m, improving energy output. When combined with an air guide, the helical collector system achieved the highest air velocity of 7.2 m s −1 . These findings demonstrate that thoughtful structural enhancements significantly boost SCPP performance.