IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/ejores/v317y2024i2p631-642.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Optimal energy collection with rotational movement constraints in concentrated solar power plants

Author

Listed:
  • Díaz-Báñez, José-Miguel
  • Higes-López, José-Manuel
  • Pérez-Cutiño, Miguel-Angel
  • Valverde, Juan

Abstract

In concentrated solar power (CSP) plants based on parabolic trough collectors (PTC), the sun is tracked at discrete time intervals, with each interval representing a movement of the collector system. The act of moving heavy mechanical structures can lead to the development of cracks, bending, and/or displacement of components from their optimal optical positions. This, in turn, diminishes the overall energy capture performance of the entire system. In this context, we introduce two combinatorial optimization problems of great interest to PTC plants. The minimum tracking motion (MTM) problem is aimed at detecting the minimum number of movements needed while maintaining production within a given range. The maximal energy collection (MEC) problem seeks to achieve optimal energy production within a predetermined number of movements. Both problems are solved assuming scenarios where the energy collection function contains any number of local maximums/minimums due to optical errors of the elements in the PTC system. The MTM and MEC problems are solved in O(n) time and O(n2mω∗) time respectively, where n is the number of steps in the energy collection function, m the maximum number of movements of the solar structure, and ω∗ the maximal amplitude angle that the structure can cover. The advantages of the solutions are shown in realistic experiments. While these problems can be solved in polynomial time, we establish the NP-hardness of a slightly modified version of the MEC problem. The proposed algorithms are generic and can be adapted to schedule solar tracking in other CSP systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Díaz-Báñez, José-Miguel & Higes-López, José-Manuel & Pérez-Cutiño, Miguel-Angel & Valverde, Juan, 2024. "Optimal energy collection with rotational movement constraints in concentrated solar power plants," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 317(2), pages 631-642.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:ejores:v:317:y:2024:i:2:p:631-642
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ejor.2024.04.027
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0377221724003266
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.ejor.2024.04.027?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lourdes A. Barcia & Rogelio Peón Menéndez & Juan Á. Martínez Esteban & Miguel A. José Prieto & Juan A. Martín Ramos & F. Javier De Cos Juez & Antonio Nevado Reviriego, 2015. "Dynamic Modeling of the Solar Field in Parabolic Trough Solar Power Plants," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-17, November.
    2. Zhu, Yongqiang & Liu, Jiahao & Yang, Xiaohua, 2020. "Design and performance analysis of a solar tracking system with a novel single-axis tracking structure to maximize energy collection," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).
    3. Cirre, Cristina M. & Berenguel, Manuel & Valenzuela, Loreto & Klempous, Ryszard, 2009. "Reference governor optimization and control of a distributed solar collector field," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 193(3), pages 709-717, March.
    4. Hafez, A.Z. & Yousef, A.M. & Harag, N.M., 2018. "Solar tracking systems: Technologies and trackers drive types – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 754-782.
    5. Bigerna, Simona & Wen, Xingang & Hagspiel, Verena & Kort, Peter M., 2019. "Green electricity investments: Environmental target and the optimal subsidy," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 279(2), pages 635-644.
    6. Garrido, Ruben & Díaz, Arturo, 2016. "Cascade closed-loop control of solar trackers applied to HCPV systems," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 689-696.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Pirayawaraporn, Alongkorn & Sappaniran, Sahapol & Nooraksa, Sarawin & Prommai, Chanon & Chindakham, Nachaya & Jamroen, Chaowanan, 2023. "Innovative sensorless dual-axis solar tracking system using particle filter," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 338(C).
    2. Gary Ampuño & Juan Lata-Garcia & Francisco Jurado, 2020. "Evaluation of Energy Efficiency and the Reduction of Atmospheric Emissions by Generating Electricity from a Solar Thermal Power Generation Plant," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-20, February.
    3. Surender Kannaiyan & Neeraj Dhanraj Bokde, 2022. "Performance of Parabolic Trough Collector with Different Heat Transfer Fluids and Control Operation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-23, October.
    4. Jamroen, Chaowanan & Fongkerd, Chanon & Krongpha, Wipa & Komkum, Preecha & Pirayawaraporn, Alongkorn & Chindakham, Nachaya, 2021. "A novel UV sensor-based dual-axis solar tracking system: Implementation and performance analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 299(C).
    5. Sebastijan Seme & Bojan Štumberger & Miralem Hadžiselimović & Klemen Sredenšek, 2020. "Solar Photovoltaic Tracking Systems for Electricity Generation: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-24, August.
    6. Miguel J. Prieto & Juan Á. Martínez & Rogelio Peón & Lourdes Á. Barcia & Fernando Nuño, 2017. "On the Convenience of Using Simulation Models to Optimize the Control Strategy of Molten-Salt Heat Storage Systems in Solar Thermal Power Plants," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-17, July.
    7. Wang, Qiliang & Yao, Yao & Shen, Zhicheng & Yang, Hongxing, 2023. "A hybrid parabolic trough solar collector system integrated with photovoltaics," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 329(C).
    8. Ephraim Bonah Agyekum & Usman Mehmood & Salah Kamel & Mokhtar Shouran & Elmazeg Elgamli & Tomiwa Sunday Adebayo, 2022. "Technical Performance Prediction and Employment Potential of Solar PV Systems in Cold Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-21, March.
    9. Machado, Diogo Ortiz & Andrade, Gustavo Artur & Normey-Rico, Julio Elias & Bordons, Carlos, 2022. "Optimal operation of Concentrating Solar Collector fields using exergy-based hierarchical control," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PE).
    10. Wang, Yunjie & Yang, Huihan & Chen, Haifei & Yu, Bendong & Zhang, Haohua & Zou, Rui & Ren, Shaoyang, 2023. "A review: The development of crucial solar systems and corresponding cooling technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    11. Paolo Falbo & Giorgio Ferrari & Giorgio Rizzini & Maren Diane Schmeck, 2020. "Optimal switch from a fossil-fueled to an electric vehicle," Papers 2012.09493, arXiv.org.
    12. Ketelaars, Martijn & Kort, Peter M., 2022. "Investments in R&D and Production Capacity with Uncertain Breakthrough Time : Private versus Social Incentives," Discussion Paper 2022-010, Tilburg University, Center for Economic Research.
    13. Maarten Wolsink, 2020. "Framing in Renewable Energy Policies: A Glossary," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-31, June.
    14. Nadarajah, Selvaprabu & Secomandi, Nicola, 2023. "A review of the operations literature on real options in energy," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 309(2), pages 469-487.
    15. D'Agostino, D. & Minelli, F. & D'Urso, M. & Minichiello, F., 2022. "Fixed and tracking PV systems for Net Zero Energy Buildings: Comparison between yearly and monthly energy balance," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 809-824.
    16. Guthrie, Graeme, 2020. "Regulation, welfare, and the risk of asset stranding," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 273-287.
    17. Fan, Zhi-Ping & Cao, Yue & Huang, Chun-Yong & Li, Yongli, 2020. "Pricing strategies of domestic and imported electric vehicle manufacturers and the design of government subsidy and tariff policies," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    18. Kareem Noureldin & Tobias Hirsch & Bijan Nouri & Zeyad Yasser & Robert Pitz-Paal, 2021. "Evaluating the Potential Benefit of Using Nowcasting Systems to Improve the Yield of Parabolic Trough Power Plants with Single-Phase HTF," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-21, February.
    19. Barbosa, Luciana & Rodrigues, Artur & Sardinha, Alberto, 2022. "Optimal price subsidies under uncertainty," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 303(1), pages 471-479.
    20. Liang Ma & Weiqiang Hu & Ru Liang, 2024. "The Impact of the Industrial Internet on the Innovation and Development Level of China’s Manufacturing Industry: Under the Perspective of Government Incentives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-25, May.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:ejores:v:317:y:2024:i:2:p:631-642. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/eor .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.