Assessing the impact of electricity market price in the dispatchability strategy of CSP: the case of Spain

The use of fossil fuels has caused serious environmental problems, but remains predominant despite its limitations. Renewable energies are a sustainable solution, although their integration into the energy system presents challenges. This thesis analyses the limitations of solar energy, the most used renewable source. Photovoltaic technologies, while contributing to electricity production, depend on sunlight, making them unprogrammable. This affects the electricity market, lowering prices in the daytime and causing a peak of demand at night, complicating network management. To address this problem, the study focuses on Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technology, which allows thermal energy storage and controlled production, improving grid stability. CSP systems heat a fluid, usually molten salts, which stores heat to generate electricity on demand. However, the high investment cost limits its spread. The objective of this thesis is to analyze the impact of electricity prices in 2023 on the dispatching strategy of a tower CSP plant, using the software System Advisor Model (SAM). The study evaluates different configurations to optimize net present value (NPV), considering the Gemasolar plant near Seville and the conditions of the Spanish electricity market in 2023. The thesis is structured as follows: Chapter 2 describes CSP technology and its components; Chapter 3 introduces SAM and relevant economic parameters; Chapter 4 compares programmable and non-programmable sources, examining the electricity market and the financial challenges of CSP plants. Finally, the last chapter presents the analysis of the data from Seville and electricity prices, with a comparison between 2023 and 2024 to assess the evolution of the market.