5.0 Conclusion and Future Work

Conclusion

The unit-scale CSP prototype demonstrates the ability to store 10 L of water above 40 °C for up to 9 hours following the integration of the three subsystems. Based on these results, a full-scale system was designed for rooftop installation for the hotel in Tanjung Balai, focussing on optimising its performance and scaling to fit technical requirements of the hotel.

The proposed system consists of 126 modular islands, each island consisting of 6 reflectors-receiver set, a pump and a TES containing 60L of water.

The system is expected to supply approximately 7560 L of hot water daily, meeting the hotel’s demand for showering and reducing reliance on electrically heated water. Overall, the system demonstrates the feasibility of scalable CSP systems in hot water generation in a commercial setting.

Future work

While the proposed system demonstrates technical feasibility, its economic viability and long-term reliability remain key limitations. Further technological developments, such as the implementation of passive thermal transmission systems, may reduce system complexity and cost.

In addition, a more detailed evaluation of long-term operational considerations such as maintenance requirements, material degradation, and system reliability, together with lifecycle costs including maintenance, replacement, and variations in electricity pricing, is required to more accurately assess the system’s lifespan, cumulative operating costs, and overall long-term feasibility.