DEVICES, METHODS, AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTROL OF HELIOSTATS

摘要

Adherence to flux or resultant measurable parameter limits, ranges, or patterns can be achieved by directing heliostat mounted mirrors to focus on aiming points designated on the surface of a solar receiver. Different heliostats can be directed to different aiming points, and a heliostat can be directed to different aiming points at different times. The cumulative flux distribution resulting from directing a plurality of heliostats to any aiming point on a receiver surface can be predicted by using statistical methods to calculate the expected beam projection for each individual heliostat or alternatively for a group of heliostats. Control of the heliostats in a solar power system can include designating aiming points on a receiver from time to time and assigning heliostats to aiming points from time to time in accordance with an optimization goal.

主权项

1. A heliostat control method implementable by a processor-based programmable controller connected to heliostats in a central tower solar thermal power generation system, solar thermal power generation system having a central receiver, the method controlling the heliostat aiming in real time and comprising:
storing data representing shape error of each of a plurality of heliostats; selecting, at multiple times during a day, a respective aiming point on the surface of the central receiver for each of said plurality of heliostats and generating control signals to aim said each of said plurality of heliostats responsively to said selecting; said selecting being responsive to said data, where the focus error is such that a flux distribution on said central receiver generated by said each of said plurality of heliostats varies with apparent angle of the sun and with possible aiming points from which said aiming points is selected; generating command signals effective to change said respective aiming point.