Matlab based model of 40-MW concentrating solar power plant

Abstract

The paper proposes the Matlab based model of a Concentrating Solar Power plant (CSP), rated of 40 MW. The modelled system considers the technology of parabolic through and follows the layout of a pilot project, to be realized in the south of Italy. As that project contains also the thermal storage, the input and output temperature are well-defined. The conversion to the electrical energy is obtained by a common fossil fuel power station. Then only the primary loop of the whole system has been considered for the proposed model. The model allows to evaluate the thermal performance and the thermal eficiency of the primary loop constituting a CSP.