Wind-induced torsion of parabolic trough collectors in operation

Stanislawski, Brooke J.; Egerer, Ulrike; Dana, Scott; Yellapantula, Shashank

doi:10.1016/j.renene.2024.122135

Wind-induced torsion of parabolic trough collectors in operation

Journal Article · Fri Dec 20 00:00:00 UTC 2024 · Renewable Energy

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2024.122135· OSTI ID:2522738

^[1]; ^[1]; Dana, Scott ^[1]; ^[1]

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Parabolic trough collector (PTC) systems, a type of concentrating solar power (CSP), use parabolic mirrors to reflect the sun's rays toward an absorber tube to heat the fluid inside. PTCs track the sun throughout the day and are sensitive to angular misalignment, which reduces optical performance. Torsion of the PTC, exacerbated by wind loading, contributes to angular misalignment, which has been quantified by previous studies using numerical simulations and experimental tests. However, angular misalignment due to torsion and wind loading has not yet been studied in an operational plant, which can experience more extreme and variable conditions. This study characterizes the angular misalignment due to torsion at three rows of the Nevada Solar One CSP plant and investigates the influence of wind loading. These findings reveal substantial torsion along the PTC support structure that depends on wind conditions and orientation. Strong winds perpendicular to the PTCs increase the median angular displacement of the outermost row by up to 18 mrad and increase the standard deviation by up to 8 mrad when compared to weak wind conditions. These findings can inform enhanced PTC design, controls and modeling that will improve the performance, reliability and bankability of future CSP plants.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office

Grant/Contract Number:: AC36-08GO28308

OSTI ID:: 2522738

Report Number(s):: NREL/JA--5000-89758; MainId:90537; UUID:8cd039f1-728d-4882-af44-3eee73f2d6a8; MainAdminId:73903

Journal Information:: Renewable Energy, Journal Name: Renewable Energy Vol. 241; ISSN 0960-1481

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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14 SOLAR ENERGY
17 WIND ENERGY
concentrating solar power
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Wind-induced torsion of parabolic trough collectors in operation

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