The Future of Parabolic Trough Thermosolar Plants: Classic Control and Beyond
摘要
This chapter deals with the control of Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC) powerPower solarSolar plants. After a brief introduction, a solarSolar troughSolar trough plants description is presented. Later, a short literature review and some author experiences are described. The chapter also describes new control trends and, in particular, results obtained in the OCONTSOLAR advanced grant. The grant aims to develop new control methods using mobile sensors mounted on drones, also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) as an integral part of the control systems. The main objectives and challenges are 1: Methods to control mobile sensor fleets and integrate them as an essential part of the overall control systems. 2: Spatially distributed solarSolar irradiance estimation methods using a variable fleet of sensors mounted on drones and UGVs. 3: New model predictive control algorithmsAlgorithm that use mobile solar sensor estimations and predictions to yield safer and more efficientEfficient plantPlant operation allowing the effective integration of solar energy.