Reinforcement learning for heliostat aiming: Improving the performance of Solar Tower plants

Carballo, J.A.; Bonilla, J.; Cruz, N.C.; Fernández-Reche, J.; Álvarez, J.D.; Avila-Marin, A.; Berenguel, M.

doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.124574

Applied Energy

2025

DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.124574

|View full text |Cite

Reinforcement learning for heliostat aiming: Improving the performance of Solar Tower plants

J.A. Carballo,

J. Bonilla,

N.C. Cruz

et al.

Help me understand this report

Search citation statements

Order By: Relevance

Paper Sections

Select...

Citation Types

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Publication Types

Select...

Article1

Relationship

Self Cite0

Independent1

Authors

Journals

Cited by 1 publication

References 38 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

Modern SCADA for CSP Systems Based on OPC UA, Wi-Fi Mesh Networks, and Open-Source Software

Carballo,

Bonilla,

Fernández-Reche

et al. 2024

Energies

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study presents a methodology for the development of modern Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems aimed at improving the operation and management of concentrated solar power (CSP) plants, leveraging the tools provided by industrial digitization. This approach is exemplified by its application to the CESA-I central tower heliostat field at the Plataforma Solar de Almería (PSA), one of the oldest CSP facilities in the world. The goal was to upgrade the control and monitoring capabilities of the heliostat field by integrating modern technologies such as OPC (Open Platform Communications)) Unified Architecture (UA), a Wi-Fi mesh communication network, and a custom Python-based gateway for interfacing with legacy MODBUS systems. Performance tests demonstrated stable, scalable communication, efficient real-time control, and seamless integration of new developments (smart heliostat) into the existing infrastructure. The SCADA system also introduced a user-friendly Python-based interface developed with PySide6, significantly enhancing operational efficiency and reducing task complexity for system operators. The results show that this low-cost methodology based on open-source software provides a flexible and robust SCADA architecture, suitable for future CSP applications, with potential for further optimization through the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.

show abstract

Modern SCADA for CSP Systems Based on OPC UA, Wi-Fi Mesh Networks, and Open-Source Software

Carballo,

Bonilla,

Fernández-Reche

et al. 2024

Energies

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

Contact Info

customersupport@researchsolutions.com

10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614

Henderson, NV 89052, USA

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Blog Terms and Conditions API Terms Privacy Policy Contact Cookie Preferences Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Made with 💙 for researchers

Part of the Research Solutions Family.

Reinforcement learning for heliostat aiming: Improving the performance of Solar Tower plants

Cited by 1 publication

References 38 publications

Modern SCADA for CSP Systems Based on OPC UA, Wi-Fi Mesh Networks, and Open-Source Software

Modern SCADA for CSP Systems Based on OPC UA, Wi-Fi Mesh Networks, and Open-Source Software

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About