A A Case for Solar Aided Power Generation in South Africa
- 1Stellenbosch University
Abstract
Solar Aided Power Generation (SAPG) provides a pathway to leverage existing coal-fired infrastructure while enhancing Renewable Energy penetration in a cost-effective manner. By integrating Concentrated Solar Thermal (CST) energy into coal power cycles, SAPG enables reduced coal consumption for the same output, or increased generation for the same fuel use. Countries with high Direct Normal Irradiation (DNI) and strong reliance on coal are well suited for this hybrid approach. This study provides a preliminary evaluation of the techno-economics of SAPG within a South African context. A Parabolic Trough Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) system was modelled in the System Advisory Model (SAM), while a coal-fired Rankine Cycle was simulated in Python using mass and energy balance calculations. Solar heat was extracted from the CSP model and integrated into the coal plant via a feedwater heater at the boiler inlet, enabling either power boosting (displacing turbine extraction steam to the feedwater heaters) or fuel saving (reducing coal feed rate). Results show that SAPG increased net power output in boosting mode and can decrease specific coal consumption in saving mode. The Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) of the hybrid system is lower than that of a standalone CSP plant of equal size, demonstrating economic competitiveness. This study concludes that SAPG represents a promising transitional solution for South Africa, supporting decarbonization while maintaining grid reliability.
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BibTeX
@article{koetsier2026case,
title = {{A A Case for Solar Aided Power Generation in South Africa}},
author = {Tenzin Koetsier and Michael Owen},
journal = {SolarPACES Conference Proceedings},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
url = {https://www.tib-op.org/ojs/index.php/solarpaces/article/view/2970},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - A A Case for Solar Aided Power Generation in South Africa
AU - Tenzin Koetsier
AU - Michael Owen
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/23
JO - SolarPACES Conference Proceedings
UR - https://www.tib-op.org/ojs/index.php/solarpaces/article/view/2970
AB - Solar Aided Power Generation (SAPG) provides a pathway to leverage existing coal-fired infrastructure while enhancing Renewable Energy penetration in a cost-effective manner. By integrating Concentrated Solar Thermal (CST) energy into coal power cycles, SAPG enables reduced coal consumption for the same output, or increased generation for the same fuel use. Countries with high Direct Normal Irradiation (DNI) and strong reliance on coal are well suited for this hybrid approach. This study provides a preliminary evaluation of the techno-economics of SAPG within a South African context. A Parabolic Trough Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) system was modelled in the System Advisory Model (SAM), while a coal-fired Rankine Cycle was simulated in Python using mass and energy balance calculations. Solar heat was extracted from the CSP model and integrated into the coal plant via a feedwater heater at the boiler inlet, enabling either power boosting (displacing turbine extraction steam to the feedwater heaters) or fuel saving (reducing coal feed rate). Results show that SAPG increased net power output in boosting mode and can decrease specific coal consumption in saving mode. The Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) of the hybrid system is lower than that of a standalone CSP plant of equal size, demonstrating economic competitiveness. This study concludes that SAPG represents a promising transitional solution for South Africa, supporting decarbonization while maintaining grid reliability.
SN - 2751-9899
ER -