This paper describes the application of a non-linear adaptive constrained model-based predictive control scheme to the distributed collector field of a solar power plant at the Plataforma Solar de Almería (Spain). This methodology exploits the intrinsic non-linear modelling capabilities of nonlinear state-space neural networks and their online training by means of an unscented Kalman filter. Te...

n this special issue, three papers belong to the path 1 , six papers o the path 2 , and two papers to the path 3 . The thermal path to generate electricity is referred as “concenrated solar power” or CSP. The greatly insolated “sunbelt” reions of the world include large Asian regions in China and India s well as the southwestern United States, southern Europe, Ausralia, the MENA regions, etc. T...

This paper describes the application of a non-linear adaptive constrained model-based predictive control scheme to the distributed collector field of a solar power plant at the Plataforma Solar de Almería (Spain). This methodology takes advantage of the intrinsic non-linear modelling capabilities of non-linear state-space neural networks and of their online training by means of an unscented Kal...

In this paper the modelling capabilities of a recurrent neural network and the effectiveness and stability of the output regulation control theory are combined. The control structure consists in a neural based indirect adaptive control scheme, being the main goal to provide a viable practical control strategy suitable for real-time implementations. This control scheme was applied to the distrib...

So far, researchers have developed simplified models to control the so called Acurex field, which is a solar power plant situated in Tabernas in Spain, used mainly for research purposes. Most of these simplified models for control have been used in simulation. Some have also been used in control experiments. Usually an advanced model of the plant was used to identify and verify the simplified m...

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 the...

The combined generation of electricity by wind and solar energy is a very attractive solution for isolated regions with high levels of yearly wind energy and insolation. A computer model is developed for the simulation of the electricity system of a Mediterranean island, including a wind power plant, a photovoltaic power plant and a storage system. In order to obtain an overall view of the syst...

This paper presents a short-term forecasting model designed to forecast the hourly power production in a grid-connected photovoltaic plant. The model is based on neuro-fuzzy systems optimized with the use of a genetic algorithm. The model uses as inputs forecasted weather variables obtained with a meso-scale numerical weather prediction model. The model was applied to forecast the hourly produc...