Modeling and Hourly Time-Scale Characterization of the Main Energy Parameters of Parabolic-Trough Solar Thermal Power Plants Using a Simplified Quasi-Dynamic Model

Ignacio Arias, Eduardo Zarza, Loreto Valenzuela, Manuel Pérez-García, José Alfonso Romero Ramos and Rodrigo Escobar
Additional contact information
Ignacio Arias: Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Tarapacá, Avenida 18 de Septiembre 2222, Arica, Chile
Eduardo Zarza: CIEMAT, Plataforma Solar de Almería, Carretera de Senés km. 4,5, P.O. Box 22, E-04200 Tabernas-Almería, Spain
Loreto Valenzuela: CIEMAT, Plataforma Solar de Almería, Carretera de Senés km. 4,5, P.O. Box 22, E-04200 Tabernas-Almería, Spain
Manuel Pérez-García: CIESOL Centro Mixto Universidad de Almería, CIEMAT, 04120 La Cañada de San Urbano Almería, Spain
José Alfonso Romero Ramos: Escuela Superior de Ingeniería, Universidad de Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain
Rodrigo Escobar: Escuela de Ingeniería, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Santiago, Chile

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-27

Abstract: A simplified mathematical model of parabolic-trough solar thermal power plants, which allow one to carry out an energetic characterization of the main thermal parameters that influence the solar field performance, was evaluated through a comparison of simulation results. Two geographical locations were selected to evaluate the mathematical model proposed in this work—one in each hemisphere—and design considerations according with the practical/operational experience were taken. Furthermore, independent simulations were performed using the System Advisor Model (SAM) software, their results were compared with those obtained by the simplified model. According with the above, the mathematical model allows one to carry out simulations with a high degree of flexibility and adaptability, in which the equations that allow the plant to be energetically characterized are composed of a series of logical conditions that help identify boundary conditions between dawn and sunset, direct normal irradiance transients, and when the thermal energy storage system must compensate the solar field energy deficits to maintain the full load operation of the plant. Due to the above, the developed model allows one to obtain satisfactory simulation results; referring to the net electric power production, this model provides results in both hemispheres with a relative percentage error in the range of [0.28–8.38%] compared with the results obtained with the SAM, with mean square values of 4.57% and 4.21% for sites 1 and 2, respectively.

Keywords: renewable energy; solar energy; heat transfer fluid; parabolic-trough collector; quasi- dynamic model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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