All maps may be downloaded as google earth maps or spreadsheet information.
Map Series 3: CSP as an alternative to network augmentation - cost benefit
- The coloured shapes mark the grid constraints in areas where the solar resource is sufficiently high to warrant the investigation of CSP. A circle shows that CSP is able to meet the network constraint; a square that CSP cannot meet the constraint; and a triangle is where there is insufficient information to reach a conclusion.
- The colour of the shape indicates the CSP cost-gap after taking into account a network support payment. Green areas are where the modelling indicates a positive CSP business case, while red indicates a substantial cost-gap.
- The size of the circle is proportional to the most cost effective plant capital cost
- Clicking on a shape gives detailed information.
These maps indicate that CSP could avoid the need for network augmentation in 48 locations, or 72% of the constrained locations examined. If only locations with solar resources better than 21 MJ/m2/day DNI are included, CSP could avoid the need for augmentation at 94% of locations.
Altogether, installation of 533MW of CSP at grid constrained locations was found to be cost effective during the next 10 years, and an additional 125MW had a cost benefit greater than -$20/MWh. Installation of this CSP would save approximately 1.9 MT of greenhouse gases per year.