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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inControl engineering practice Vol. 82; pp. 1 - 13
Main Authors Gallego, Antonio J., Merello, Gonzalo M., Berenguel, Manuel, Camacho, Eduardo F.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2019
Subjects
Fresnel collector
Gain scheduling
Model predictive control
Solar energy
Model predictive control
Fresnel collector
Gain scheduling
Solar energy
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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