Patent ID: 8327840
Filing Date: 2012-12-11
Classification: F03G,F24S,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method for controlling a central solar concentrating energy system, comprising: calculating by one or more controllers an amount of energy directable by each of a plurality of heliostats onto each of a primary solar receiver and a secondary solar receiver located at different positions to generate first calculated data representing the amount of energy directable by said each of the plurality of heliostats; the primary solar receiver and secondary solar receiver each including heat exchangers configured to heat a working fluid to thereby power a generator; at a first time, aiming a first portion of the plurality of heliostats at the primary solar receiver responsively to said first calculated data; repeating the calculating by the one or more controllers at a second time to generate second calculated data; and at the second time, aiming a second portion of the plurality of heliostats different from said first portion at the primary solar receiver responsively to the second calculated data, wherein heliostats of said first and second portions are selected by the one or more controllers in response to a predetermined thermal profile for a surface of the primary solar receiver.