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Calculation of the annual thermal energy supplied by a defined heliostat field

Journal Article · · Solar Energy; (USA)
This paper presents a new simplified procedure for evaluating the annual energy produced by a defined heliostate field, based on two continuous functions: annual energy per unit of mirror with its center placed at some point; and annual average density of mirror per unit area of level terrain (which defines the field) at the same point. The first function is based on an analytic model for the flux density due to a focused heliostat, and the second on some simplifying assumptions; in particular: radial staggered configuration, azimuthal spacing constant through the field, blocking only calculated with the two shoulder heliostats in the first row in front, and the exclusion of shading. This allows the density function (and thus the field) to be defined through a constant (in time) blocking factor, a constant azimuthal separation and the tower height. The annual energy will be the integral of the product of these two functions over all the domain of the field. This continuous evaluation is compared with a discrete evaluation in a real case of a solar central receiver: CESA-1 in Almeria (Spain). The thermal losses are not included.
OSTI ID:
5164618
Journal Information:
Solar Energy; (USA), Journal Name: Solar Energy; (USA) Vol. 42:2; ISSN SRENA; ISSN 0038-092X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English