Case · Utility
Optimizing Solar Thermal Production Through Dynamic Process Control
Background
The Challenge
Solar thermal energy can make a significant contribution to district heating production, but it also places high demands on control and regulation. Solar irradiance can change substantially within minutes, and with it the available heat production. Without a robust control strategy, this can lead to considerable variation in temperature and flow, affecting the district heating network, thermal storage and overall operating economics.
Proces-Automatik took part in the optimization of a large solar thermal plant for a utility company, with the aim of creating a more stable and controlled integration between solar heat production and the district heating network.
Overview
The project at a glance
01
Sector
District heating, utility
02
Scope
Process analysis, control principles, PLC programming, implementation
03
Modification of
Existing SCADA and PLC systems
04
Result
Variation in solar irradiance handled inside the process control
Solution
A control strategy built around the process
A central part of the solution has been the development and implementation of a new control and regulation strategy. Based on the current solar irradiance, the control system evaluates the expected temperature from the solar thermal plant. If the temperature is not yet sufficient for direct use in the district heating system, the water is recirculated through the solar thermal plant until the required operating conditions are reached.
Variation in solar irradiance is therefore handled actively within the process control itself, before it affects the rest of the district heating system.
Delivery
Our role in the project
Proces-Automatik has contributed throughout the project — from analysis of the existing process and development of the control principles to PLC programming, implementation and integration into the existing SCADA system.
- Process analysis
- Control principles
- PLC programming
- SCADA integration
Approach
The approach behind it
The project is an example of our approach to process automation: the control system is developed from the physical process and its dynamics — not from the individual components alone.
FAQ
Engineering Insights
The questions we get from operators, utilities and project managers — most weeks.
Why does solar thermal production place particular demands on control?
Solar irradiance can change substantially within minutes, and with it the available heat production. Without a robust control strategy, this can lead to considerable variation in temperature and flow, affecting the district heating network, thermal storage and overall operating economics.
What happens when the solar thermal plant is not yet warm enough?
The control system evaluates the expected temperature based on the current solar irradiance. If it is not yet sufficient for direct use in the district heating system, the water is recirculated through the solar thermal plant until the required operating conditions are reached.
What did Proces-Automatik deliver on the project?
Analysis of the existing process, development of the control principles, PLC programming, implementation and integration into the existing SCADA system.