Dual Mode MPC for a Concentrated Solar Thermal Power Plant

A model predictive control strategy for a concentrated solar thermal power plant is proposed. Design of the proposed controller is based on an estimated linear time-invariant state space model around a nominal operating point. The model is estimated directly from input-output data using the subspace identification method and taking into account the frequency response of the plant. Input-output data are obtained from a nonlinear distributed parameter model of a plant rather than the plant itself. Effectiveness of the proposed control strategy in terms of tracking and disturbance rejection is evaluated through two different scenarios created in a nonlinear simulation environment.