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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Automatic control of the Solar Two receiver

Conference ·
OSTI ID:20030575

The Solar Two power tower is currently operating near Barstow, California. This 10-MW{sub e} concentrating-solar power plant is demonstrating the viability of molten-salt technology. One of the design challenges was the development of a control algorithm that automatically maintains the outlet salt temperature of the solar receiver at the setpoint temperature during partly cloudy weather conditions. At the same time, the algorithm must prevent excessive mechanical strains within the receiver tube materials. This paper describes the design evolution of this algorithm and its successful implementation at Solar Two.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Lab., Albuquerque, NM (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
US Department of Energy
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
20030575
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English