Solar Panel Angle Modulation for Anticipatory Thermal Power Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar thermal power plants face challenges in efficiently modulating power generation to match varying heat demand and prevent overheating, with existing solutions being complex and delayed in response due to reliance on downstream temperature measurements.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves determining the angle of inclination of solar panels in real-time based on direct irradiation measurements to modulate power generation proactively, using a tracking device to adjust the panel orientation continuously, ensuring thermal power is produced within the installation's consumption level and maintaining the heat transfer fluid temperature below a target temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If downstream temperature sensors are used to modulate solar panel heating output, then the system can prevent overheating based on measured data, but the response is delayed due to thermal inertia and spatial arrangement of sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using upstream irradiation sensors to measure solar irradiation before it reaches the solar panels and converts it to thermal energy. This allows the control system to predict the thermal power that will be generated and adjust the solar panel orientation in advance, eliminating the delay caused by waiting for downstream temperature sensors to detect overheating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement approach by placing irradiation sensors upstream in the energy conversion chain, between the sun and the solar panels. These sensors measure irradiation which serves as an intermediate parameter that directly indicates the potential thermal power generation, allowing for real-time control without the thermal inertia delay of downstream temperature measurements.
2Reliability
If active solutions like heat storage elements or air heaters are added to prevent overheating, then overheating protection is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of overheating prevention from complex active solutions by using a simplified approach: measuring upstream irradiation to predict thermal power and adjusting solar panel orientation accordingly. This eliminates the need for additional heat storage elements, air heaters, or other complex active components while maintaining effective overheating protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the solar thermal power plant to self-regulate its power generation by using upstream irradiation measurements to control solar panel orientation. The system serves itself by automatically adjusting to prevent overheating without requiring external active intervention devices, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Productivity
If solar panel orientation is adjusted based on downstream temperature measurements, then power modulation is achieved, but the modulation is not anticipatory and cannot reliably prevent overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by measuring upstream irradiation before thermal conversion occurs and using this data to anticipate the thermal power that will be generated. This allows the control system to proactively adjust solar panel orientation to achieve the desired power modulation while preventing overheating before it occurs, rather than reacting to downstream temperature measurements after the fact.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for precise and anticipatory power modulation, reducing the risk of overheating and enabling flexible, predictable heat production without the need for additional heat storage or complex solutions, optimizing plant capacity and reducing the risk of overheating.
Implementation Method 1
a solar panel, the irradiation of the surface of the solar panel allowing to heat a heat transfer fluid circulating in a circuit of the power plant
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A method for modulating the power generated (P) by a solar thermal power plant (2) comprising at least one solar panel (1), the method comprising the following steps: - at least one solar panel (1) is provided, comprising a tracking device (4) configured to rotate the solar panel (1) in at least one direction of rotation (R); - an installation (3) is provided to supply thermal power that varies over time from the irradiation received by the solar panel (1); - an angle of inclination (β) of the solar panel (1) is determined to produce the thermal power to be supplied to the installation (3) from the irradiation measured in real time; and - the solar panel (1) is rotated with the tracking device (4) to reach the determined angle of inclination (β).