Concentrating solar power, geothermal power and waste-to-energy : requirements, technologies, costs, world market and Italian scenario

In 2015, renewable energy power production sector experienced the world’s largest increase ever in installed capacity (new 147 GWe) and investments (above 290 billion Euro). Therefore, thanks also to the cost-competitiveness of RESs electricity production, governments’ commitment and a global awareness regarding energy security and environmental issues, renewable energy sources were able to supply about the 23,7% of the global electricity need. Most of the new (and cumulated) installed capacity and investments are related to hydropower, wind power and solar PV; in fact, in 2015, together they accounted for about the 93% of the installed cumulated capacity and 92% of the new investments. This thesis has the purpose to analyse in detail a portion of the 7% left of the renewable energy sources installed capacity, focusing on concentrating solar power, geothermal power and Waste-to-Energy (which is considered as a part of the macro-category BioEnergy). Even though their current contribution to the renewable energy power production sector is very limited, these sources have features that could enable their development in specific countries or regions of the world and in multi-sector applications. Barriers, which have led to the current state of these minor renewable energy sources are examined, together with drivers that could enable their future development. Concentrating solar power, geothermal power and Waste-to-Energy are described in detail. A systematic analysis covers requirements, the current technologies and their future developments, costs (capital, O&M and LCOE), the world market situation and future scenarios and a thorough study of the Italian situation, in terms of installed capacity and the most recent regulations. The analysis has considered most recent annual reports from international agencies, data provided by governmental organizations, scientific publications and scientific journals. Furthermore, results achieved from the literature review contributed to the redaction of the “Renewable Energy Report”, published in May 2016 by Energy Strategy Group of Politecnico di Milano.