Modelling and Control of a Solar Thermal Power Plant

Model-based control design is essential in the control of solar power plants. Dynamic linguistic equation (LE) models operate accurately in most operating conditions. Smooth transitions between submodels are based on fuzzy logic and fuzzy set systems are also used for special situations. The hybrid simulator has been tested with extensive process data, and the adaptive controller tuned with these models reduces considerably temperature differences between collector loops. Efficient energy collection is achieved even in variable operating condition. Distributed parameter models extend the operability to drastic changes, e.g. startup and large load disturbances, and local disturbances and malfunctioning. Copyright c ©2005 IFAC