TY - CHAP A1 - Zahra, Mahdi A1 - Phani Srujan, Merige A1 - Caminos, Ricardo Alexander Chico A1 - Schmitz, Pascal A1 - Herrmann, Ulf A1 - Teixeira Boura, Cristiano José A1 - Schmitz, Mark A1 - Gielen, Hans A1 - Gedle, Yibekal A1 - Dersch, Jürgen T1 - Modeling the thermal behavior of solar salt in electrical resistance heaters for the application in PV-CSP hybrid power plants T2 - SOLARPACES 2020 N2 - Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) systems are able to store energy cost-effectively in their integrated thermal energy storage (TES). By intelligently combining Photovoltaics (PV) systems with CSP, a further cost reduction of solar power plants is expected, as well as an increase in dispatchability and flexibility of power generation. PV-powered Resistance Heaters (RH) can be deployed to raise the temperature of the molten salt hot storage from 385 °C up to 565 °C in a Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC) plant. To avoid freezing and decomposition of molten salt, the temperature distribution in the electrical resistance heater is investigated in the present study. For this purpose, a RH has been modeled and CFD simulations have been performed. The simulation results show that the hottest regions occur on the electric rod surface behind the last baffle. A technical optimization was performed by adjusting three parameters: Shell-baffle clearance, electric rod-baffle clearance and number of baffles. After the technical optimization was carried out, the temperature difference between the maximum temperature and the average outlet temperature of the salt is within the acceptable limits, thus critical salt decomposition has been avoided. Additionally, the CFD simulations results were analyzed and compared with results obtained with a one-dimensional model in Modelica. KW - Solar thermal technologies KW - Hybrid energy system KW - Concentrated solar power KW - Energy storage KW - Photovoltaics Y1 - 2022 SN - 978-0-7354-4195-8 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0086268 SN - 1551-7616 (online) SN - 0094-243X (print) N1 - 26th International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems 28 September–2 October 2020 Freiburg, Germany IS - 2445 / 1 PB - AIP conference proceedings / American Institute of Physics CY - Melville, NY ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schwager, Christian A1 - Flesch, Robert A1 - Schwarzbözl, Peter A1 - Herrmann, Ulf A1 - Teixeira Boura, Cristiano José T1 - Advanced two phase flow model for transient molten salt receiver system simulation JF - Solar Energy N2 - In order to realistically predict and optimize the actual performance of a concentrating solar power (CSP) plant sophisticated simulation models and methods are required. This paper presents a detailed dynamic simulation model for a Molten Salt Solar Tower (MST) system, which is capable of simulating transient operation including detailed startup and shutdown procedures including drainage and refill. For appropriate representation of the transient behavior of the receiver as well as replication of local bulk and surface temperatures a discretized receiver model based on a novel homogeneous two-phase (2P) flow modelling approach is implemented in Modelica Dymola®. This allows for reasonable representation of the very different hydraulic and thermal properties of molten salt versus air as well as the transition between both. This dynamic 2P receiver model is embedded in a comprehensive one-dimensional model of a commercial scale MST system and coupled with a transient receiver flux density distribution from raytracing based heliostat field simulation. This enables for detailed process prediction with reasonable computational effort, while providing data such as local salt film and wall temperatures, realistic control behavior as well as net performance of the overall system. Besides a model description, this paper presents some results of a validation as well as the simulation of a complete startup procedure. Finally, a study on numerical simulation performance and grid dependencies is presented and discussed. KW - Molten salt solar tower KW - Molten salt receiver system KW - Dynamic simulation KW - Two-phase modelling KW - Transient flux distribution Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2021.12.065 SN - 0038-092X (print) SN - 1471-1257 (online) VL - 232 SP - 362 EP - 375 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Schwager, Christian A1 - Angele, Florian A1 - Schwarzbözl, Peter A1 - Teixeira Boura, Cristiano José A1 - Herrmann, Ulf T1 - Model predictive assistance for operational decision making in molten salt receiver systems T2 - SolarPACES: Solar Power & Chemical Energy Systems N2 - Despite the challenges of pioneering molten salt towers (MST), it remains the leading technology in central receiver power plants today, thanks to cost effective storage integration and high cost reduction potential. The limited controllability in volatile solar conditions can cause significant losses, which are difficult to estimate without comprehensive modeling [1]. This paper presents a Methodology to generate predictions of the dynamic behavior of the receiver system as part of an operating assistance system (OAS). Based on this, it delivers proposals if and when to drain and refill the receiver during a cloudy period in order maximize the net yield and quantifies the amount of net electricity gained by this. After prior analysis with a detailed dynamic two-phase model of the entire receiver system, two different reduced modeling approaches where developed and implemented in the OAS. A tailored decision algorithm utilizes both models to deliver the desired predictions efficiently and with appropriate accuracy. KW - Power plants KW - Associated liquids KW - Decision theory KW - Electrochemistry Y1 - 2023 SN - 978-0-7354-4623-6 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0151514 SN - 1551-7616 (online) SN - 0094-243X (print) N1 - 27th International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems 27 September–1 October 2021 Online IS - 2815 / 1 PB - AIP conference proceedings / American Institute of Physics CY - Melville, NY ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Schwager, Christian A1 - Angele, Florian A1 - Nouri, Bijan A1 - Schwarzbözl, Peter A1 - Teixeira Boura, Cristiano José A1 - Herrmann, Ulf T1 - Impact of DNI forecast quality on performance prediction for a commercial scale solar tower: Application of nowcasting DNI maps to dynamic solar tower simulation T2 - SolarPACES conference proceedings N2 - Concerning current efforts to improve operational efficiency and to lower overall costs of concentrating solar power (CSP) plants with prediction-based algorithms, this study investigates the quality and uncertainty of nowcasting data regarding the implications for process predictions. DNI (direct normal irradiation) maps from an all-sky imager-based nowcasting system are applied to a dynamic prediction model coupled with ray tracing. The results underline the need for high-resolution DNI maps in order to predict net yield and receiver outlet temperature realistically. Furthermore, based on a statistical uncertainty analysis, a correlation is developed, which allows for predicting the uncertainty of the net power prediction based on the corresponding DNI forecast uncertainty. However, the study reveals significant prediction errors and the demand for further improvement in the accuracy at which local shadings are forecasted. KW - Process prediction KW - DNI forecasting KW - Nowcasting KW - Uncertainty analysis KW - Molten salt receiver system, Y1 - 2024 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.52825/solarpaces.v1i.675 SN - 2751-9899 (online) N1 - 28th International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, 27-30 September, Albuquerque, NM, USA IS - Vol. 1 PB - TIB Open Publishing CY - Hannover ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Schulte, Jonas A1 - Schwager, Christian A1 - Noureldin, Kareem A1 - May, Martin A1 - Teixeira Boura, Cristiano José A1 - Herrmann, Ulf T1 - Gradient controlled startup procedure of a molten-salt power-to-heat energy storage plant based on dynamic process simulation T2 - SolarPACES: Solar Power & Chemical Energy Systems N2 - The integration of high temperature thermal energy storages into existing conventional power plants can help to reduce the CO2 emissions of those plants and lead to lower capital expenditures for building energy storage systems, due to the use of synergy effects [1]. One possibility to implement that, is a molten salt storage system with a powerful power-to-heat unit. This paper presents two possible control concepts for the startup of the charging system of such a facility. The procedures are implemented in a detailed dynamic process model. The performance and safety regarding the film temperatures at heat transmitting surfaces are investigated in the process simulations. To improve the accuracy in predicting the film temperatures, CFD simulations of the electrical heater are carried out and the results are merged with the dynamic model. The results show that both investigated control concepts are safe regarding the temperature limits. The gradient controlled startup performed better than the temperature-controlled startup. Nevertheless, there are several uncertainties that need to be investigated further. KW - Power plants KW - Energy storage KW - Associated liquids Y1 - 2023 SN - 978-0-7354-4623-6 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0148741 SN - 1551-7616 (online) SN - 0094-243X (print) N1 - 27th International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems 27 September–1 October 2021 Online IS - 2815 / 1 PB - AIP conference proceedings / American Institute of Physics CY - Melville, NY ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Schulte, Jonas A1 - Schwager, Christian A1 - Frantz, Cathy A1 - Schloms, Felix A1 - Teixeira Boura, Cristiano José A1 - Herrmann, Ulf T1 - Control concept for a molten salt receiver in star design: Development, optimization and testing with cloud passage scenarios T2 - SolarPACES conference proceedings N2 - A promising approach to reduce the system costs of molten salt solar receivers is to enable the irradiation of the absorber tubes on both sides. The star design is an innovative receiver design, pursuing this approach. The unconventional design leads to new challenges in controlling the system. This paper presents a control concept for a molten salt receiver system in star design. The control parameters are optimized in a defined test cycle by minimizing a cost function. The control concept is tested in realistic cloud passage scenarios based on real weather data. During these tests, the control system showed no sign of unstable behavior, but to perform sufficiently in every scenario further research and development like integrating Model Predictive Controls (MPCs) need to be done. The presented concept is a starting point to do so. KW - Molten salt receiver KW - Star design KW - Control optimization KW - Cloud passages Y1 - 2023 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.52825/solarpaces.v1i.693 SN - 2751-9899 (online) N1 - 28th International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, 27-30 September, Albuquerque, NM, USA IS - Vol. 1 PB - TIB Open Publishing CY - Hannover ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Sattler, Johannes Christoph A1 - Schneider, Iesse Peer A1 - Angele, Florian A1 - Atti, Vikrama A1 - Teixeira Boura, Cristiano José A1 - Herrmann, Ulf T1 - Development of heliostat field calibration methods: Theory and experimental test results T2 - SolarPACES conference proceedings N2 - In this work, three patent pending calibration methods for heliostat fields of central receiver systems (CRS) developed by the Solar-Institut Jülich (SIJ) of the FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences are presented. The calibration methods can either operate in a combined mode or in stand-alone mode. The first calibration method, method A, foresees that a camera matrix is placed into the receiver plane where it is subjected to concentrated solar irradiance during a measurement process. The second calibration method, method B, uses an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) such as a quadrocopter to automatically fly into the reflected solar irradiance cross-section of one or more heliostats (two variants of method B were tested). The third calibration method, method C, foresees a stereo central camera or multiple stereo cameras installed e.g. on the solar tower whereby the orientations of the heliostats are calculated from the location detection of spherical red markers attached to the heliostats. The most accurate method is method A which has a mean accuracy of 0.17 mrad. The mean accuracy of method B variant 1 is 1.36 mrad and of variant 2 is 1.73 mrad. Method C has a mean accuracy of 15.07 mrad. For method B there is great potential regarding improving the measurement accuracy. For method C the collected data was not sufficient for determining whether or not there is potential for improving the accuracy. KW - Heliostat Field Calibration KW - Unmanned aerial vehicle KW - UAV KW - Quadrocopter KW - Camera system Y1 - 2024 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.52825/solarpaces.v1i.678 SN - 2751-9899 (online) N1 - 28th International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, 27-30 September, Albuquerque, NM, USA IS - Vol. 1 PB - TIB Open Publishing CY - Hannover ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Sattler, Johannes Christoph A1 - Atti, Vikrama A1 - Alexopoulos, Spiros A1 - Teixeira Boura, Cristiano José A1 - Herrmann, Ulf A1 - Dutta, Siddharth A1 - Kioutsioukis, Ioannis T1 - DNI forecast tool for the smart operation of a parabolic trough collector system with concrete thermal energy storage: Theory, results and outlook T2 - SolarPACES conference proceedings N2 - This work presents a basic forecast tool for predicting direct normal irradiance (DNI) in hourly resolution, which the Solar-Institut Jülich (SIJ) is developing within a research project. The DNI forecast data shall be used for a parabolic trough collector (PTC) system with a concrete thermal energy storage (C-TES) located at the company KEAN Soft Drinks Ltd in Limassol, Cyprus. On a daily basis, 24-hour DNI prediction data in hourly resolution shall be automatically produced using free or very low-cost weather forecast data as input. The purpose of the DNI forecast tool is to automatically transfer the DNI forecast data on a daily basis to a main control unit (MCU). The MCU automatically makes a smart decision on the operation mode of the PTC system such as steam production mode and/or C-TES charging mode. The DNI forecast tool was evaluated using historical data of measured DNI from an on-site weather station, which was compared to the DNI forecast data. The DNI forecast tool was tested using data from 56 days between January and March 2022, which included days with a strong variation in DNI due to cloud passages. For the evaluation of the DNI forecast reliability, three categories were created and the forecast data was sorted accordingly. The result was that the DNI forecast tool has a reliability of 71.4 % based on the tested days. The result fulfils SIJ’s aim to achieve a reliability of around 70 %, but SIJ aims to still improve the DNI forecast quality. KW - Direct normal irradiance forecast KW - DNI forecast KW - Parabolic trough collector KW - PTC KW - Thermal Energy Storage Y1 - 2024 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.52825/solarpaces.v1i.731 SN - 2751-9899 (online) N1 - 28th International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, 27-30 September, Albuquerque, NM, USA IS - VOL. 1 PB - TIB Open Publishing CY - Hannover ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Niederwestberg, Stefan A1 - Schneider, Falko A1 - Teixeira Boura, Cristiano José A1 - Herrmann, Ulf T1 - Introduction to a direct irradiated transparent tube particle receiver T2 - SOLARPACES 2020 N2 - New materials often lead to innovations and advantages in technical applications. This also applies to the particle receiver proposed in this work that deploys high-temperature and scratch resistant transparent ceramics. With this receiver design, particles are heated through direct-contact concentrated solar irradiance while flowing downwards through tubular transparent ceramics from top to bottom. In this paper, the developed particle receiver as well as advantages and disadvantages are described. Investigations on the particle heat-up characteristics from solar irradiance were carried out with DEM simulations which indicate that particle temperatures can reach up to 1200 K. Additionally, a simulation model was set up for investigating the dynamic behavior. A test receiver at laboratory scale has been designed and is currently being built. In upcoming tests, the receiver test rig will be used to validate the simulation results. The design and the measurement equipment is described in this work. KW - Solar irradiance KW - Ceramics Y1 - 2022 SN - 978-0-7354-4195-8 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0086735 SN - 1551-7616 (online) SN - 0094-243X (print) N1 - 26th International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems 28 September–2 October 2020 Freiburg, Germany IS - 2445 / 1 PB - AIP conference proceedings / American Institute of Physics CY - Melville, NY ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Neumann, Hannah A1 - Adam, Mario A1 - Backes, Klaus A1 - Börner, Martin A1 - Clees, Tanja A1 - Doetsch, Christian A1 - Glaeser, Susanne A1 - Herrmann, Ulf A1 - May, Johanna A1 - Rosenthal, Florian A1 - Sauer, Dirk Uwe A1 - Stadler, Ingo T1 - Development of open educational resources for renewable energy and the energy transition process T2 - ISES SWC 2021 N2 - The dissemination of knowledge about renewable energies is understood as a social task with the highest topicality. The transfer of teaching content on renewable energies into digital open educational resources offers the opportunity to significantly accelerate the implementation of the energy transition. Thus, in the here presented project six German universities create open educational resources for the energy transition. These materials are available to the public on the internet under a free license. So far there has been no publicly accessible, editable media that cover entire learning units about renewable energies extensively and in high technical quality. Thus, in this project, the content that remains up-to-date for a longer period is appropriately prepared in terms of media didactics. The materials enable lecturers to provide students with in-depth training about technologies for the energy transition. In a particular way, the created material is also suitable for making the general public knowledgeable about the energy transition with scientifically based material. KW - energy transition KW - renewable energies KW - open educational resources KW - dissemination KW - digitalization Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.18086/swc.2021.47.03 N1 - ISES Solar World Congress, virtual conference 25-29 October 2021 PB - International Solar Energy Society CY - Freiburg ER -