SbpRAY - A fast and versatile tool for the simulation of large scale CSP plants

Abstract

This paper introduces sbpRAY, a versatile and accurate software to predict and optimize the performance of concentrating solar power (CSP) plants of all scales and types. sbpRAY accepts arbitrary mirror and receiver configurations as well as site topography and atmospheric conditions. Its underlying ray tracing technology accounts for all common loss factors and models specular and diffuse surface reflection. sbpRAY further produces high resolution receiver flux maps. Its massively parallelized core has permitted its use for sensitivity studies and iterative optimization methods on large-scale heliostat fields. sbpRAY is conveniently controlled via a bespoke graphical user interface or a flexible Python interface. This paper discusses the functionality, validation, benchmarking, and possible applications of the tool, with focus on plant design and field layout. Underlying parallel computation algorithms are also discussed. Numerous case studies highlight the tool's potential for the evaluation but also the design of heliostat fields. sbpRAY has been used for research into multi-tower systems for the GRIDSOL project. It has also served to generate efficient aim point strategies as well as cavity and beam-down receiver geometries.