Esolar, Inc.

Other

Matthew B Hartshorn

Adam Azarchs

Dan Reznik

Ambrus Csaszar

Michael Slack

Andrew John Zillmer

David Gross

Methods, systems, and devices for choosing a point from a set of optimal solutions defined as the output of a problem in such a way that small perturbations to the input variables of the problem may reliably produce small changes to the output. Embodiments may determine the optimal point for concentrating solar thermal power plants utilizing heliostats, based on a linear function, one or more constraints, and a determined space of optimal solutions.

Solution stabilization for linear program-based control systems

Methods and systems for setting a throttle at a solar power plant, by a controller, the controller configured to select at least one aim point on a receiver of the solar power plant, calculate a desired energy to be delivered by two or more subgroups to each selected aim point via a search method based on an aiming scheme, and determine an optimum distribution of energy to be delivered to the receiver across the two or more subgroups via a search program based on the calculated desired energy.

Heliostat field power controller for setting a throttle to determine an optimum distribution of energy

A suntracking system for a central receiver solar power plant includes a heliostat field for reflecting sunlight to a receiver, cameras directed toward at least a subset of the heliostats, and a controller. The cameras are configured to produce images of sunlight reflected from multiple heliostats. The heliostats include a mirrored surface having a settable orientation and have a geometry modeled by a set of parameters. A method of estimating heliostat parameters for open-loop suntracking includes acquiring pointing samples by setting the direction of reflection of the heliostats and detecting concurrent sunlight reflections into the cameras. The method uses the acquired pointing samples and surveyed locations of the cameras to estimate the heliostat parameters. The method accurately maintains the sun's reflection directed toward the receiver open-loop utilizing the estimated tracking parameters.

Calibration and tracking control of heliostats in a central tower receiver solar power plant

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Pasadena, CA, United States of America

Matthew B Hartshorn