Increasing the efficiency of parabolic trough plants using thermal oil through external superheating with biomass.

Highlights: [•] Comparison of 14 different external superheater scenarios using different biomass materials. [•] Concept raises the solar to electricity efficiency above >30% and reduce investment up to 23.5%. [•] Immediate cost reduction possible compared to 17–40% cost reduction by 2020. [•] Scenarios based on a 50MWe plant with 7.5h thermal storage in Mildura, Australia. [•] High-level identification of potential sites worldwide suitable for CSP-biomass hybrid plants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]