Developing models for enhancing Concentrated Solar Power energy storage systems

For his PhD thesis Fritz Zaversky has carried out research into storage systems for thermal energy. In concrete, he has focused on simulation models for the behaviour of solar thermal energy power plants.

For his PhD thesis Fritz Zaversky has carried out research into storage systems for thermal energy. In concrete, he has focused on simulation models for the behaviour of solar thermal energy power plants. “Unlike other renewable energies, solar thermal energy power plants can supply energy in a manageable way, through thermal storage and/or hybridisation”. This is why researchers are trying to improve mathematical simulation models for the operation of these power plants, “in order to take into account aspects such as the variation of entry meteorological conditions or the restrictions on the operational strategies of the power plant established by the user”, fundamental elements for the development and optimisation of this kind of installation.

Concentrated solar thermal power plants collect solar radiation, concentrate it on a receptor surface and transform the absorbed heat into mechanical work and, consequently, into electrical energy, using latest-generation thermodynamic cycles. Due to the fact that the behaviour of these plants is closely linked to the surrounding conditions that can significantly change in time (not just in one day but throughout the year), taking the transient performance simulation of the plant overall into account has become indispensable.

Fritz Zaversky’s PhD is entitled “Object-oriented modeling for the transient performance simulation of solar thermal power plants using parabolic trough collectors — a review and proposal of modeling approaches for thermal energy storage”.

The objective of the thesis was to extend current techniques of modelling of direct and indirect active thermal storage. The models developed seek to enable evaluating the storage system in transient conditions.

Another part of his research work involved applying models developed for the components of thermal storage to an exhaustive and complete model for an overall parabolic trough collector power plant. “In this way, not only is the behaviour of the storage system simulated, but also the responses of the solar thermal power plant in its totality, taking into consideration changes in the surrounding environmental conditions”.

 

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