Sensitivity analysis on optical performance of a novel linear Fresnel concentrating solar power collector

Kincaid, Nicholas; Mungas, Greg; Kramer, Nick; Zhu, Guangdong

doi:10.1016/j.solener.2019.01.054

Title: Sensitivity analysis on optical performance of a novel linear Fresnel concentrating solar power collector

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Abstract

A novel, low-cost linear Fresnel collector for concentrating solar power applications is being developed by Hyperlight Energy (Hyperlight) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Hyperlight is currently deploying their linear Fresnel collector technology in a half-acre pilot loop near Brawley, California. The optical performance of a concentrating solar power collector represents the largest loss in the efficiency of the overall system. The ability to accurately model the complex optical interactions of a collector becomes essential in successfully implementing a new collector technology. Here, this study presents a detailed sensitivity analysis of the optical performance of Hyperlight linear Fresnel technology, characterizing the effects of potential optomechanical error sources on collector performance. Optical models are implemented in SolTrace, a Monte-Carlo ray-tracing software developed at NREL. First, SolTrace is used to analyze collector sensitivity to individual optomechanical error perturbations in both the primary reflectors and the receiver assembly. Then, a high-fidelity optomechanical error model is adopted to capture the realistic performance of the installed Hyperlight linear Fresnel collector. Finally, the sensitivity analysis can provide insightful guidance to inform the tightening and relaxation of tolerances during manufacturing and implementation of a new collector technology.

Authors:

Kincaid, Nicholas ^[1]; Mungas, Greg ^[2]; Kramer, Nick ^[2];

^[1]

National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Hyperlight Energy, Lakeside, CA (United States)

Publication Date:: Mon Jan 21 00:00:00 EST 2019

Research Org.:: National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Hyperlight Energy, Lakeside, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office; Southern California Gas Company

OSTI Identifier:: 1492508

Alternate Identifier(s):: OSTI ID: 1615156; OSTI ID: 1636077

Report Number(s):: NREL/JA-5500-72299
Journal ID: ISSN 0038-092X

Grant/Contract Number:: AC36-08GO28308; EE0007342

Resource Type:: Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:: Solar Energy

Additional Journal Information:: Journal Volume: 180; Journal Issue: C; Journal ID: ISSN 0038-092X

Publisher:: Elsevier

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

Subject:: 14 SOLAR ENERGY; 47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION; concentrating solar power; linear fresnel; optical efficiency; optomechanical error

Citation Formats


                    Kincaid, Nicholas, Mungas, Greg, Kramer, Nick, and Zhu, Guangdong. Sensitivity analysis on optical performance of a novel linear Fresnel concentrating solar power collector.  United States: N. p., 2019. 
Web.  doi:10.1016/j.solener.2019.01.054.

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                    Kincaid, Nicholas, Mungas, Greg, Kramer, Nick, & Zhu, Guangdong. Sensitivity analysis on optical performance of a novel linear Fresnel concentrating solar power collector.  United States.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2019.01.054

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                    Kincaid, Nicholas, Mungas, Greg, Kramer, Nick, and Zhu, Guangdong. Mon .  
"Sensitivity analysis on optical performance of a novel linear Fresnel concentrating solar power collector".  United States.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2019.01.054.  https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1492508.

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@article{osti_1492508,

  title        = {Sensitivity analysis on optical performance of a novel linear Fresnel concentrating solar power collector},

  author       = {Kincaid, Nicholas and Mungas, Greg and Kramer, Nick and Zhu, Guangdong},

  abstractNote = {A novel, low-cost linear Fresnel collector for concentrating solar power applications is being developed by Hyperlight Energy (Hyperlight) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Hyperlight is currently deploying their linear Fresnel collector technology in a half-acre pilot loop near Brawley, California. The optical performance of a concentrating solar power collector represents the largest loss in the efficiency of the overall system. The ability to accurately model the complex optical interactions of a collector becomes essential in successfully implementing a new collector technology. Here, this study presents a detailed sensitivity analysis of the optical performance of Hyperlight linear Fresnel technology, characterizing the effects of potential optomechanical error sources on collector performance. Optical models are implemented in SolTrace, a Monte-Carlo ray-tracing software developed at NREL. First, SolTrace is used to analyze collector sensitivity to individual optomechanical error perturbations in both the primary reflectors and the receiver assembly. Then, a high-fidelity optomechanical error model is adopted to capture the realistic performance of the installed Hyperlight linear Fresnel collector. Finally, the sensitivity analysis can provide insightful guidance to inform the tightening and relaxation of tolerances during manufacturing and implementation of a new collector technology.},

  doi          = {10.1016/j.solener.2019.01.054},

  journal      = {Solar Energy},

  number       = C,

  volume       = 180,

  place        = {United States},

  year         = {Mon Jan 21 00:00:00 EST 2019},

  month        = {Mon Jan 21 00:00:00 EST 2019}

}

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