Simulation and control of linear Fresnel reflector solar plant

Linear Fresnel Reflector (LFR) solar collectors is a promising technology that has a good potential for small scale solar applications such as heating, cooling and power generation. The present article presents simulation and control study of a small-scale multi-generation LFR solar power plant located in SEKEM medical center near Belbis city, Egypt. In this study Conventional and Renewable Energy Optimization Toolbox (CARNOT) has been adopted for the first time to model the LFR solar field. A quasi-dynamic model of LFR has been implemented in the environment of MATLAB/Simulink, which includes LFR collector, storage tank, pipes and centrifugal pump. The LFR model has been successfully validated using experimental data obtained from LFR solar collector in the test field of the Solar Living Lab of Consorzio ARCA in Palermo, Italy. Proportional Integral (PI) plus feed forward controller (both parallel and series configurations) with an anti-reset mechanism have been developed. The controller has been applied to maintain the difference between the outlet and inlet temperature of LFR collector at a constant value under different conditions of disturbances due to variation of ambient temperature, inlet oil temperature and solar radiation. The performance of the controllers have been evaluated under nominal conditions, presence of disturbance, and change in operating conditions.