Optical simulation of a central receiver system: Comparison of different software tools

Jafrancesco, D.; Cardoso, João P.; Mutuberría, Amaia; Leonardi, Erminia; Les, Íñigo; Sansoni, P.; Francini, F.; Fontani, D.

doi:10.1016/j.rser.2018.06.028

Cited by 50 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 23 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…For instance, by performing the optical analysis of the cavity receiver, Qiu, Y et al [46] recommended the use of a multi-point focus strategy instead of the traditional one-point strategy in order to make more homogenous the solar flux which leads to an increase of the optical efficiency of the system. Moreover, the prediction of the flux density distribution on the heliostat field with high accuracy is essential in the design phase of the heliostat field [47,48] and is commonly used for the optimization of the solar field layout for CSP plants such as in PS10 [49] or DAHAN [50,51]. The most important strategies for optical modeling of CRS are divided in two categories, the flux distribution prediction and the heliostat field optimization, as shown in Figure 6.…”

Section: Concentrator Incidence Angle Modifiermentioning

confidence: 99%

A review study on the modeling of high-temperature solar thermal collector systems

Hachicha

Yousef

Said

et al. 2019

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Section: Concentrator Incidence Angle Modifiermentioning

confidence: 99%

A review study on the modeling of high-temperature solar thermal collector systems

Hachicha

Yousef

Said

et al. 2019

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, the tracking system largely contributes to 20% of the CSP plants' operational and maintenance cost [22]. It has been established that CSP plants that have optimal tracking systems are more efficient [34]. For this reason, the remaining sections of this paper will review published literature on CSP tracking systems to highlight their strengths and weaknesses.…”

Section: State Of the Art Of Csp Research And Development In Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are two main types of CSP tracking systems depending on their freedoms/degrees of movement. First are the single-axis solar tracking systems [34,35], which track the Sun from one side to another using a single pivot point to rotate. This type of tracking system is suitable for line focusing systems.…”

Section: Review Of Tracking Systems For Crsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pilot Low-Cost Concentrating Solar Power Systems Deployment in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Case Study of Implementation Challenges

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Electricity is one of the most crucial resources that drives any given nation’s growth and development. The latest Sustainable Development Goals report indicates Africa still has a high deficit in electricity generation. Concentrating solar power seems to be a potential option to fill the deficit. That is because most of the components of concentrating solar power plants are readily available on the African market at affordable prices, and there are qualified local persons to build the plants. Pilot micro-concentrating solar power plants have been implemented in Sub-Saharan Africa and have shown promising results that could be expanded and leveraged for large-scale electricity generation. An assessment of a pilot concentrating solar power plant in the sub-region noticed one noteworthy obstacle that is the failure of the tracking system to reduce the operating energy cost of running the tracking control system and improve the multifaceted heliostat focusing behavior. This paper highlights the energy situation and the current development in concentrating solar power technology research in Africa. The paper also presents a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art solar tracking systems for central receiver systems to illustrate the current direction of research regarding the design of low-cost tracking systems in terms of computational complexity, energy consumption, and heliostat alignment accuracy.

show abstract

“…The prospects of gas-and liquid-based receiver systems that can achieve this high range of operating temperatures has also been reviewed. The authors of [6] carried out a comparative analysis between the different software tools used for heliostat field design and analysis. The paper concluded that SolTrace, Tonatiuh, CRS4-2, and MATLAB code yielded similar results.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance Analysis and Optimization of Central Receiver Solar Thermal Power Plants for Utility Scale Power Generation

Praveen

2019

Sustainability

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The paper puts forth the design, performance analysis, and optimization of a 100 MWe central receiver solar thermal power plant with thermal energy storage capability, which can be utilized effectively to meet the renewable energy targets of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). In this paper, three representative sites in KSA are selected for analysis as these sites experience an annual average direct normal irradiance (DNI) of more than 5.5 kWh/m 2 /day. The optimization approach presented in this work aims to arrive at the best possible design parameters that suit a particular location in accordance with its DNI profile. From the analysis, an annual energy of 559.61 GWh can be generated in Yanbu with eight hours of thermal energy storage, 18.19% plant efficiency, and a capacity factor of 61.1%. The central receiver plant in Abha would be able to offer an annual energy of 536.31 GWh with the highest plant efficiency of 18.97% and a capacity factor of 60.7%. The performance of the proposed design in the two locations of Yanbu and Abha fares better when compared to the operational plant data of central receiver plant in Crescent Dunes. Based on the findings, the proposed 100 MWe central receiver Solar thermal power plants can be effectively implemented in KSA to meet the energy demands of the region.Sustainability 2020, 12, 127 2 of 16 production. According to the Vision 2030 plan, KSA has announced plans to generate 9.5 GW of electricity from renewable sources by 2030, and the government aims to invest more than 109 billion USD in the solar energy sector. In continuance with the Vision 2030 plan, and to meet the energy challenges of tomorrow, King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (K.A.CARE) has set its target to install 54 GW of power from RE sources by 2032. Interestingly, the major share (25 GW) of this target is expected to come from concentrated solar power (CSP), and the rest, 16 GW, from photovoltaic (PV) systems that directly convert solar energy to electrical energy. Presently, the total installed solar energy capacity of Saudi Arabia is only 139 MW, of which 89 MW is generated from PV technology and 50 MW from CSP systems [2]. The research work will support the policy makers in identifying the potential sites across the Kingdom for the installation of central receiver (also called solar tower or power tower) plants, which is a type of CSP plant wherein an array of dual-axis tracking reflectors (heliostats) concentrates sunlight on a tower-mounted receiver that contains heat transfer fluid (HTF). The HTF can be heated to 500-1000 • C, which can be then used as a heat source for power generation. Stand-alone renewable energy plants have challenges to deliver stable power to the grid. These plants require backup support in terms of electrical or thermal energy storage to supply firm power. The electrical storage requires large capital outlay and maintenance. Although the capital cost for PV systems is lower than that of CSP systems, the former accounts for a higher cost of power generation when t...

show abstract

Optical simulation of a central receiver system: Comparison of different software tools

Cited by 50 publications

References 23 publications

A review study on the modeling of high-temperature solar thermal collector systems

A review study on the modeling of high-temperature solar thermal collector systems

Pilot Low-Cost Concentrating Solar Power Systems Deployment in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Case Study of Implementation Challenges

Performance Analysis and Optimization of Central Receiver Solar Thermal Power Plants for Utility Scale Power Generation

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About