FRASQUET , M.

Optimization software is currently a key tool when designing heliostat fields. Shadowing, blocking, atmospheric attenuation, spillage and cosine effect losses can be hugely minimized with proper use of this tool, so they are widely used in this field of work. However, variable geometry is a ground breaking concept that is only recently been...

This paper describes the optical test of the DS1 prototype concentrating surface carried out by CTAER. The DS1 is a parabolic Stirling dish developed under the framework of "SOLARDIS" project. The aim of this investigation was to characterize the DS1 prototype optical parameters. For this purpose the real and the theoretical flux distribution...

A novel Solar-Gas Hybrid Receiver (SGHR) that combines the function of a solar receiver and a gas boiler in a single device is presented. This concept requires less equipment and maintenance compared to the Solar Gas Hybrid (SGH) concept, in which the boiler and the solar receiver (SR) are independent devices. The economic benefit is attributed...

In line with the global trend for improving efficiency of existing solar power plants, the CTAER has developed and built a variable geometry central receiver facility, in which the solar field rotates around the tower axis following the sun's position during the day. The goal of this new approach is to increase the optical efficiency of the...