Techno-economic and environmental analysis of the integration of solar tracked or fixed-tilt photovoltaic power plants to open coal fields of thermal power plants in Turkey

In this study, the integration of solar tracked or fixed-tilt photovoltaic solar power plants into open coal fields of thermal power plants has been analyzed in the light of various parameters for three different geographical regions selected in our country. At the same time, Turkey's exit from fossil fuels on its way to decarbonization has been analyzed by this study. Afşin Elbistan B,18 Mart Çan and Çayırhan thermal power plants which produce lignite based electricity have been evaluated. The carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the production of electricity by the lignite based power plants in currently use, and when the carbon dioxide emissions that will arise from production if imported coal (that is more efficient in terms of calorific value) is used have been calculated. By taking into account the open coal field's land size, the design of solar power plants has been made through PVSYST Software. To calculate the unit energy production cost and payback periods of plants, an Excel based simulation has been developed. The studies have been analyzed under 2 different scenarios. In Scenario 1, the unit energy production costs and payback periods of the plants have been calculated while the effect of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and Emissions Trading System have not been included. In Scenario 2, it has been assumed that Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and Emissions Trading System have been entered into effect and energy production unit costs and payback periods have been calculated with this effect. Solar tracked and fixed-tilt photovoltaic plants with an installed power of 1214 MWp have been designed to be install in 1123.8 hectares of open coal fields of Afşin B and Çan thermal power plants. By the tracked photovoltaic power plants that designed in Afşin B and Çan areas; more electricity have been produced than they gave into the grid in 2022 according to their capacity factor by current thermal power plants. By fixed-tilt photovoltaic plants; it has been observed that 82% of the electricity that the current plant gave into the grid in 2022 can be produced in the Afşin B field, and 94% in the Çan field. It has been observed that with a 258.3 MWp tracked photovoltaic plant that can be installed in 239.2 hectares of open coal field of Çayırhan Plant, 22% of the thermal power plant's production in 2022 can be met. With a fixed-tilt photovoltaic plant in Çayırhan open coal field, 18% of the thermal power plant's production in 2022 has been met. KEYWORDS: Thermal power plant, fixed tilt photovoltaic solar power plant, tracked photovoltaic solar power plant, greenhouse gas emissions, emission trading system, carbon border adjustment mechanism