Gain-scheduling model predictive control of a Fresnel collector field

Model predictive control strategies have been applied successfully when controlling solar plants. If the control algorithm uses a linear model associated only to an operating point, when the plant is working far from the design conditions, the performance of the controller may deteriorate. In this p...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Control engineering practice 2019-01, Vol.82, p.1-13
Main Authors: Gallego, Antonio J., Merello, Gonzalo M., Berenguel, Manuel, Camacho, Eduardo F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Fresnel collector
Gain scheduling
Model predictive control
Solar energy
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Model predictive control strategies have been applied successfully when controlling solar plants. If the control algorithm uses a linear model associated only to an operating point, when the plant is working far from the design conditions, the performance of the controller may deteriorate. In this paper, a gain scheduling model predictive control strategy is designed for the Fresnel collector field located at the Escuela Superior de Ingenieros de Sevilla. Simulation results are provided comparing the proposed strategy with another linear MPC controller showing a better performance. Furthermore, two real tests are presented showing the effectiveness of the proposed strategy. •Advances control techniques play an important role in operating solar plants.•Simple linear control strategies do not perform well in the entire operation range.•Thus, adaptative or nonlinear control strategies are needed.•A gain scheduling GPC is developed.•Simulations and real tests show the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.
ISSN:0967-0661
1873-6939
DOI:10.1016/j.conengprac.2018.09.022