Scalable heliostat calibration system (SHORT): design, validation, and implementation analysis

Cristóbal Villasante; Javier García-Barberena; Marcelino Sánchez; Carlos Zuazo; David Olasolo; Iñigo Les; Adrián Peña; Amaia Mutuberria

doi:10.1117/12.2677283

4 October 2023 Scalable heliostat calibration system (SHORT): design, validation, and implementation analysis

Cristóbal Villasante, Javier García-Barberena, Marcelino Sánchez, Carlos Zuazo, David Olasolo, Iñigo Les, Adrián Peña, Amaia Mutuberria

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 12671, Advances in Solar Energy: Heliostat Systems Design, Implementation, and Operation; 126710B (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2677283
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2023, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

SHORT is a patented (PCT/ES2016/070681 – WO 2017/055663) automatic heliostat calibration system based on lowcost artificial vision systems mounted on each heliostat which is used to observe a number of targets with known positions distributed throughout the solar field. During the calibration, the heliostat is moved to sequentially capture such targets with the camera. Once sufficient observations are made, the parameters of a detailed kinematic model of the heliostat are adjusted through an iterative optimization process. This model allows predicting the precise position and orientation of the heliostat for any given axis’s angles and, by means of inverse kinematic, calculating the angles required to move the heliostat into a specific desired orientation. SHORT has been thoroughly validated at the Plataforma Solar de Almeria with a heliostat equipped with a low-cost camera observing artificial infrared light sources – targets – distributed throughout the solar field with accurately measured positions. The experimental error in movement prediction resulted below 0.25 mrad (RMS). To successfully implement SHORT in commercial Solar Towers and face the challenge of applying the system in large heliostat fields (thousands of heliostats) a dedicated methodology to find a minimum set of suitable infrared lights distribution has been developed. Results show that no more than 6-8 targets surrounding the field are enough to reach the aimed accuracy. In addition, a techno-economic analysis of Solar Tower plants according to the solar field optical error has been performed to estimate the impact of SHORT implementation in LCOE reduction with a promising result of 5% cost savings.

Conference Presentation

(2023) Published by SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Citation Download Citation

Cristóbal Villasante, Javier García-Barberena, Marcelino Sánchez, Carlos Zuazo, David Olasolo, Iñigo Les, Adrián Peña, and Amaia Mutuberria "Scalable heliostat calibration system (SHORT): design, validation, and implementation analysis", Proc. SPIE 12671, Advances in Solar Energy: Heliostat Systems Design, Implementation, and Operation, 126710B (4 October 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2677283

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available