Dynamic Real-Time Optimization of a solar thermal plant during daytime

• Published in: Computers & chemical engineering 2023-04, Vol.172, p.108184, Article 108184
• Main Authors: Untrau, Alix, Sochard, Sabine, Marias, Frédéric, Reneaume, Jean-Michel, Le Roux, Galo A.C., Serra, Sylvain
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Computer Science; Dynamic Real-Time Optimization; Engineering Sciences; Mathematics; Modeling and Simulation; Optimization and Control; Simulation; Solar thermal energy
• ISSN: 0098-1354; 1873-4375
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compchemeng.2023.108184

This paper presents an economic Dynamic Real-Time Optimization (DRTO) of the operation of a solar thermal plant. The methodology includes a planning phase, used to improve storage management. A storage state target is included in the economic objective function of the DRTO, with a weight adjusted through a sensitivity analysis. The methodology is tested with a simulation model in a case study representing different seasons. The simulation results using the trajectories for the flow rates obtained with the DRTO algorithm or with the offline planning phase are compared, for several real-time scenarios. Thanks to our DRTO methodology, the operating cost and the excess energy delivered were reduced, the part of solar energy used to satisfy the heat demand was increased and a reasonable tracking of the storage state target was achieved. This study brings good perspectives for the implementation of our DRTO methodology on an actual plant. •An economic Dynamic Real-Time Optimization is applied to a solar thermal plant.•A planning phase is used to determine the storage management policy.•A case study representing several seasons and disturbances scenarios is presented.•The operating costs of the plant were reduced and the solar fraction was increased.•The objective on the tracking of the planned storage state is optimally included.