Paper 13132-33
Paper 13132-33
A scoping study of optical metrology tools for heliostat evaluation
20 August 2024 • 8:40 AM - 9:00 AM PDT | Conv. Ctr. Room 18
Abstract
Central Tower Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) employs heliostats, sun-tracking mirrors, to focus sunlight on a receiver for thermal energy storage. Heliostat metrology ensures performance quality, crucial for large-scale CSP implementation. CSP's precision and outdoor setting pose challenges for traditional optical measurement techniques. In this work, we conduct a scoping study to identify equipment and techniques for various heliostat measurements, including sun-shape, reflectance, surface shape, and opto-mechanical errors. Initially, available metrology technology was surveyed, listing tool names, suppliers, functions, cost, and accuracy data. Subsequently, tools were ranked based on cost, industry usage, and measurement impact on plant performance. Finally, a report was compiled with tool details and recommendations. This study aims to inform the development of a metrology platform for third-party heliostat evaluation, enhancing CSP efficiency and reliability.
Presenter
Rebecca Mitchell
National Renewable Energy Lab. (United States)
Dr. Rebecca Mitchell has been a researcher at NREL for five years, where she develops optical metrology tools for Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) collectors using algorithm development, theoretical modeling, and laboratory and field testing. She now serves as the team lead on the development on the Non-intrusive Optical (NIO) technology which surveys Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) solar fields using UAS imaging. She has led UAS data collection campaigns of heliostats at Sandia National Labs, Crescent Dunes plant, and Cerro Dominador plant. She has been involved in three publications and a recently issued patent for the NIO technology. Dr. Mitchell has mentored several graduate and Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) interns and now serves as the lead of the Resource, Training, and Education topic for the Heliostat Consortium project. Dr. Mitchell will oversee all aspects of the project and be responsible for all milestones.