Graduation Year
2015
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.S.E.E.
Degree Name
MS in Electrical Engineering (M.S.E.E.)
Degree Granting Department
Electrical Engineering
Major Professor
E. K. Stefanakos, Ph.D.
Co-Major Professor
Wilfrido Moreno, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Yogi Goswami, Ph.D.
Keywords
Sun Tracking, Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), Temperature sensors, Inclinometer, Solar radiation
Abstract
The majority of the power generated today is produced using fossil fuels,emitting carbon dioxide and other pollutants every second. Also, fossil fuels will eventually run out. For the increasing worldwide energy demand, the use f reliable and environmentally beneficial natural energy sources is one of the biggest challenges. Alongside wind and water, the solar energy which is clean, CO2-neutral and limitless, is our most valuable resource.
Concentrated solar power (CSP) is becoming one of the excellent alternative sources for the power industry. The successful implementation of this technology requires the efficient design of tracking and operation system of the CSP solar plants. A detailed analysis of components needed for the design of cost-effective and optimum tracker for CSP solar systems is required for the power plant modeling, which is the primary subject of this thesis. A comprehensive tracking and operating system of a parabolic trough solar power plant was developed focusing primarily on obtaining optimum and cost effective design through the simplified methodology of this work. This new model was implemented for a 50 kWe parabolic trough solar power plant at University of South Florida, Tampa.
Scholar Commons Citation
Amba, Harsha Vardhan, "Operation and Monitoring of Parabolic Trough Concentrated Solar Power Plant" (2015). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/5891
