Applications of High Resolution Digital Cameras in Solar Tower Plants
(PresseBox) - Solar Tower Plants (STPs) rely on a conceptually simple method of energy generation. However, maximizing their performance and thereby providing an efficient method of energy generation requires knowledge of important parameters such as solar extinction. Let us show you an example of how scientific cameras have been used during the design and operation of STPs, in order to enhance the efficiency
Collection of solar energy
Solar irradiation serves as a major energy source for renewable electrical
Direct methods convert radiation energy directly into electrical energy, most commonly through photovoltaic effects. Photovoltaic modules consist of a semiconductor material, which generates voltage and current when light is absorbed in its bulk material. Indirect methods instead use solar-thermal technologies, where sunlight
Solar tower plants
In STPs, solar irradiation is reflected and focussed by an array of mirrors, called ?heliostats?, onto a receiver installed on an elevated structure, the power tower. The heliostats feature a tracking system in order to focus solar irradiation onto the receiver throughout the day. The receiver absorbs the concentrated solar irradiation and the resulting heat is passed to a heat transfer fluid, which is used for consecutive power generation [Zhang 2013]. Figure 1 shows the layout of an experimental STP at Plataforma Solar de Almer
Solar extinction measurements
Upscaling the power of STP is conceptually straightforward but a couple of pitfalls have to be avoided. In a best-case scenario, all of the direct irradiation from sunlight captured by the heliostats would be utilized for power generation. A complication of increasing the size of STPs is a comparativen (i.e. dust) has to be considered when assessing STP performance.
Established methods to analyze solar extinction aim to determine the transmission
to use monochrome
A new method proposed by Ballestrin et al. employs scientific cameras (ORCA-Flash4.0) as detectors to measure solar extinction. By using the solar signal and a broadband detector, spectral extrapolation can be avoided, yielding more accurate measurements of solar extinction. A simplified diagram of the measurement setup is shown in figure 2.
Taking simultaneous images of a Lambertian target (a target with uniform scattering properties, as determined in [Ballestrin 2018]) with two cameras at different distances, the solar extinction can be derived by the following
With I2 being the intensity observed by camera 2 and I1 by camera 1, the areas observed on the target are identical for both cameras. By knowing the distance ?D? between both cameras, the extinction coefficient
In the system developed at PSA, the distance ?D? is 742 m which is representative in a low extinction environment such as PSA.
Experimental preconditions for employing this method are the availability of Lambertian targets of high homogeneity and diffusivity, as
It is desirable to use this method in the process of determining appropriate locations for STPs, as well as during operation, to include the effect of solar extinction into the routine assessment of efficiency (see figure 3).
The method has been applied over one year at Plataforma Solar de Almer
Conclusion
Solar tower plants rely on a conceptually simple method of energy generation. However, maximizing their performance and thereby providing an efficientr these experiments, as it delivers good linearity and uniformity.
References
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Datum: 11.02.2020 - 10:32 Uhr
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