Application of an optimal control strategy for solar power plants operating in a day-ahead market scheme

Paulo H. F. Biazetto; Gustavo A. de Andrade; Julio E. Normey-Rico

doi:10.20906/sbai.v1i1.2727

Paulo H. F. Biazetto Departamento de Automação e Sistemas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis
Gustavo A. de Andrade Departamento de Automação e Sistemas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis
Julio E. Normey-Rico Departamento de Automação e Sistemas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis

DOI: https://doi.org/10.20906/sbai.v1i1.2727

Keywords: Energy production, Optimal control, Renewable energy, Thermal solar power plants, Thermal Energy Storage

Abstract

Thermal solar power plants operating in a day-ahead market scheme aim to maximize the solar energy captured in the field of solar collectors and the electric energy revenue in the power block according to the energy tariff. Classic control strategies are not able to obtain good performance for this kind of framework because of the variability of the energy tariff profile over the days. In this context, this work presents the assessment of the potential of an optimal controller in order to increase the profitability of the plants. Simulation results with energy tariffs and meteorological data from Spain are presented in order to illustrate the performance of the methodology. Finally, a comparative study with a classic control strategy shows the improvements in the energy revenue produced in this scenario.