Dish layouts analysis method for concentrative solar power plant
Jinshan Xu1, Shaocong Gan1, Song Li1
1College of Computer Science, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310013 People's Republic of China.
Springerplus
|November 8, 2016
Summary
Optimizing solar power plant layouts can maximize sun radiation capture without increasing costs. Shifting and rotating solar dishes, rather than regular spacing, significantly improves energy output by minimizing shading effects.
Area of Science:
- Solar energy engineering
- Renewable energy systems
- Optical engineering
Background:
- Maximizing solar energy capture is crucial for cost-effective solar power plant construction.
- Minimizing shading between solar collectors is essential for efficient energy generation.
- Existing solar farm layouts may not be optimized for maximum solar radiation absorption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a method for calculating shading effects in solar power plants.
- To optimize the spatial arrangement of solar dishes for increased energy yield.
- To reduce computational complexity in solar farm layout design.
Main Methods:
- Established a local coordinate system with the parabolic dish apex as the origin and the z-axis aligned with the sun.
- Developed a computational method to determine shade area at any given time and the total daily shading effect.
- Investigated the impact of aspect ratio, shifting, and rotation on optimal solar dish arrangement using computer simulations.
Main Results:
- Identified that neighboring dishes only cause shading under specific conditions when in tracking mode.
- Computer simulations using Dish Stirling system data and NREL Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) data revealed that regular spacing is suboptimal.
- Demonstrated that strategic shifting and rotation of solar dish columns can lead to significant improvements in energy capture.
Conclusions:
- The proposed method simplifies shading calculations and reduces computational resource requirements.
- Optimized layouts achieved through shifting and rotation offer greater benefits than traditional regular-spacing arrangements.
- This approach facilitates a quicker search for optimal solar farm configurations, enhancing overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Related Concept Videos
01:26The Power Flow Problem and Solution
951
Power flow problem analysis is fundamental for determining real and reactive power flows in network components, such as transmission lines, transformers, and loads. The power system's single-line diagram provides data on the bus, transmission line, and transformer. Each bus k in the system is characterized by four key variables: voltage magnitude Vk, phase angle δk, real power Pk, and reactive power Qk. Two of these four variables are inputs, while the power flow program computes...
951
01:24Design Example: Aggregate Gradation
355
The right type and quality of aggregates are crucial for concrete as they significantly influence its properties, mix proportions, and cost-effectiveness. If different sources are available for sand, the commonly used fine aggregate in concrete, the selection of sand is primarily based on its gradation.
The grading, or particle-size distribution, of sand is determined using sieve analysis, with standard sizes ranging from 150 μm to 10 mm (ASTM No. 100 sieve to 3⁄8 in. sieve). Sand is...
The grading, or particle-size distribution, of sand is determined using sieve analysis, with standard sizes ranging from 150 μm to 10 mm (ASTM No. 100 sieve to 3⁄8 in. sieve). Sand is...
355
01:20Mesh Analysis
1.6K
Mesh analysis is a valuable method for simplifying circuit analysis using mesh currents as key circuit variables. Unlike nodal analysis, which focuses on determining unknown voltages, mesh analysis applies Kirchhoff's voltage law (KVL) to find unknown currents within a circuit. This method is particularly convenient in reducing the number of simultaneous equations that need to be solved.
A fundamental concept in mesh analysis is the definition of meshes and mesh currents. A mesh is a closed...
A fundamental concept in mesh analysis is the definition of meshes and mesh currents. A mesh is a closed...
1.6K
01:28Simpson's Rule II
123
In warehouse roofing applications, corrugated or curved metal sheets are commonly used to improve structural strength, water drainage, and ventilation efficiency. To accurately estimate material requirements and optimize design parameters, engineers must determine the curved surface area of these sheets. Because the sheet profiles often repeat smoothly along their length, they can be effectively approximated by parabolic curves, enabling the use of numerical integration techniques for area...
123
01:24Stress Concentrations
762
Stress concentration is when stress intensifies near discontinuities such as holes or abrupt cross-sectional changes in a structural member. This localized stress can often surpass the average stress within the member. The stress distribution in flat bars, either with a circular hole or varying widths connected by fillets, can be determined experimentally using a photoelastic method. The results are based on ratios of geometric parameters like the ratio of the hole's radius to the smaller...
762
01:17Design Example: Calculating Safe Diameter for Wind-Exposed Disc
370
Assessing safety in wind-exposed installations is crucial to preventing potential failures. This example explores the calculation and design adjustments needed to mount a circular disc on a building facade, where wind forces are a primary concern. A 4-meter diameter disc was initially designed as an aesthetic feature facing winds at a velocity of 25 meters per second, with an air density of 1.25 kilograms per cubic meter. Given these conditions, the drag force on the disc was determined using...
370