SHORT is a patented (PCT/ES2016/070681 – WO 2017/055663) automatic heliostat calibration system based on lowcost artificial vision systems mounted on each heliostat which is used to observe a number of targets with known positions distributed throughout the solar field. During the calibration, the heliostat is moved to sequentially capture such targets with the camera. Once sufficient observations are made, the parameters of a detailed kinematic model of the heliostat are adjusted through an iterative optimization process. This model allows predicting the precise position and orientation of the heliostat for any given axis’s angles and, by means of inverse kinematic, calculating the angles required to move the heliostat into a specific desired orientation. SHORT has been thoroughly validated at the Plataforma Solar de Almeria with a heliostat equipped with a low-cost camera observing artificial infrared light sources – targets – distributed throughout the solar field with accurately measured positions. The experimental error in movement prediction resulted below 0.25 mrad (RMS). To successfully implement SHORT in commercial Solar Towers and face the challenge of applying the system in large heliostat fields (thousands of heliostats) a dedicated methodology to find a minimum set of suitable infrared lights distribution has been developed. Results show that no more than 6-8 targets surrounding the field are enough to reach the aimed accuracy. In addition, a techno-economic analysis of Solar Tower plants according to the solar field optical error has been performed to estimate the impact of SHORT implementation in LCOE reduction with a promising result of 5% cost savings.
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