Thermodynamic analysis of a cascade Rankine cycle power generation system driven by solar energy

Renewable energy sources are a sustainable and environmentally substitution for conventional fossil fired energy systems. In this paper, detailed exergy and energy analysis of a cascade Rankine cycle (RC) system utilizing solar energy for thermal power generation is presented. Energy from solar collector drives the evaporation of steam in the top cycle (I). The heat released by cycle I simplifies the evaporation of steam in the bottom cycle (II).This study reveals that the main sources of exergy destruction are solar collector that contributes 45.8% of total exergy destruction, condenser and heat exchanger1. Energy and exergy efficiency are 64.98% and 20.35%, respectively. The results showed that the proposed system is able to produce 47.62 KW as power.