Renewable energies, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the need for a reliable electricity supply are the key drivers for a worldwide change of the energy systems. Due to their integrated thermal energy storage, concentrated solar power (CSP) plants take a crucial role within this transformation, especially in countries around the equator with a high solar irradiation.
Although the overall concepts of the various CSP plants are similar, the used technologies vary widely as regards specific components. Differences include the used concentrator system, the receiver technology or the used heat transfer material. The high demands on operational security during the operation of the plant are common for all implemented technologies. These demands mainly result from the large area covered by the solar field and the volatile solar irradiation. In order to secure a reliable and efficient operation, an advanced control concept is necessary.
The challenges of implementing such a control concept are described within this work and a model-based concept is developed based on the linear Fresnel technology. The control concept contains a two-tiered setup, separating the disturbance control from the reference control system. The used models are based on a detailed model of the controlled unit and are adapted to the needs of each control design method. The main focus is laid on the use of an efficient and simple model setup and a possible integration into the control system of a CSP plant.
The developed control concept is analyzed in detail with several simulations and parameter studies. The influence of the developed concept on the control performance and the actuators is benchmarked. A comparison with already existing concepts proves the advantages of the model-based approach, showing a significantly improved control performance and thus a more reliable operation of the plant. Furthermore the analysis shows that several important components could be scaled smaller with equal operational security.