Inverse Deep Learning Ray Tracing for Heliostat Surface Prediction

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Lewen, Jan, Pargmann, Max, Cherti, Mehdi, Jitsev, Jenia, Pitz-Paal, Robert, Quinto, Daniel Maldonado
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
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author Lewen, Jan
Pargmann, Max
Cherti, Mehdi
Jitsev, Jenia
Pitz-Paal, Robert
Quinto, Daniel Maldonado
author_facet Lewen, Jan
Pargmann, Max
Cherti, Mehdi
Jitsev, Jenia
Pitz-Paal, Robert
Quinto, Daniel Maldonado
contents Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) plants play a crucial role in the global transition towards sustainable energy. A key factor in ensuring the safe and efficient operation of CSP plants is the distribution of concentrated flux density on the receiver. However, the non-ideal flux density generated by individual heliostats can undermine the safety and efficiency of the power plant. The flux density from each heliostat is influenced by its precise surface profile, which includes factors such as canting and mirror errors. Accurately measuring these surface profiles for a large number of heliostats in operation is a formidable challenge. Consequently, control systems often rely on the assumption of ideal surface conditions, which compromises both safety and operational efficiency. In this study, we introduce inverse Deep Learning Ray Tracing (iDLR), an innovative method designed to predict heliostat surfaces based solely on target images obtained during heliostat calibration. Our simulation-based investigation demonstrates that sufficient information regarding the heliostat surface is retained in the flux density distribution of a single heliostat, enabling deep learning models to accurately predict the underlying surface with deflectometry-like precision for the majority of heliostats. Additionally, we assess the limitations of this method, particularly in relation to surface accuracy and resultant flux density predictions. Furthermore, we are presenting a new comprehensive heliostat model using Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline (NURBS) that has the potential to become the new State of the Art for heliostat surface parameterization. Our findings reveal that iDLR has significant potential to enhance CSP plant operations, potentially increasing the overall efficiency and energy output of the power plants.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2408_10802
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Inverse Deep Learning Ray Tracing for Heliostat Surface Prediction
Lewen, Jan
Pargmann, Max
Cherti, Mehdi
Jitsev, Jenia
Pitz-Paal, Robert
Quinto, Daniel Maldonado
Machine Learning
Artificial Intelligence
Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) plants play a crucial role in the global transition towards sustainable energy. A key factor in ensuring the safe and efficient operation of CSP plants is the distribution of concentrated flux density on the receiver. However, the non-ideal flux density generated by individual heliostats can undermine the safety and efficiency of the power plant. The flux density from each heliostat is influenced by its precise surface profile, which includes factors such as canting and mirror errors. Accurately measuring these surface profiles for a large number of heliostats in operation is a formidable challenge. Consequently, control systems often rely on the assumption of ideal surface conditions, which compromises both safety and operational efficiency. In this study, we introduce inverse Deep Learning Ray Tracing (iDLR), an innovative method designed to predict heliostat surfaces based solely on target images obtained during heliostat calibration. Our simulation-based investigation demonstrates that sufficient information regarding the heliostat surface is retained in the flux density distribution of a single heliostat, enabling deep learning models to accurately predict the underlying surface with deflectometry-like precision for the majority of heliostats. Additionally, we assess the limitations of this method, particularly in relation to surface accuracy and resultant flux density predictions. Furthermore, we are presenting a new comprehensive heliostat model using Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline (NURBS) that has the potential to become the new State of the Art for heliostat surface parameterization. Our findings reveal that iDLR has significant potential to enhance CSP plant operations, potentially increasing the overall efficiency and energy output of the power plants.
title Inverse Deep Learning Ray Tracing for Heliostat Surface Prediction
topic Machine Learning
Artificial Intelligence
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2408.10802